Blantyre care home theft

May 14 2009 by Graham Fraser, Hamilton Advertiser

CALLOUS thieves have stolen essential gardening equipment worth nearly £300 from the Calderglen Care Home in Blantyre.

The shed which houses the nursing home’s equipment was broken into some time between 4.30pm on Thursday, April 30, and 9am on Friday, May 1, and a lawnmower worth £293.74 was stolen.

It is thought that the thieves may have used a vehicle, such as a van, to transport the lawnmower from the Calderglen Avenue home.

Police dogs were also at the home at the weekend after staff called the authorities after hearing more noises outside the building, believing another theft was in progress.

Manager Moira Reyes told the Advertiser she was angered by the theft of the equipment: “To steal from them is really low, the lowest of the low. These residents have next to nothing.

“Although it is a private nursing home, the residents are here through social work and don’t have a huge amount of money.

“It’s a huge hindrance to us. The staff are all angry about this. Why do they do it to vulnerable people? It’s really quite sick.

“We now have to find the funds to get another one. That obviously comes out of other things in the care home.”

The police visited the grounds twice, the second time with dogs after staff reported suspicious noises at night.

Ms Reyes added: “The dogs picked up a scent over at the gas tanks, but that went cold. It’s worrying as we are quite isolated down here.

“We’ve never had any problems like this before. We have dog-walkers and the like, and the people in the area are normally really good.

“We don’t really have anything to steal to be honest. We’re a nursing home and the type of clients we have really don’t own much.”

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police confirmed reports of activity at the care home. She said: “A lawnmower worth £293 was stolen from the grounds of Calderglen Care Home between 4.30pm on Thursday, April 30, and 9am on Friday, May 1.

“We would like to appeal for any witnesses of any suspicious persons or activity in the area to get in touch with Blantyre Community Policing on 01698 202565 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.