Thieves swap elderly hospital patient’s ‘precious’ rings with tin bands
Essex Police has issued this image of a ruby and diamond eternity ring, similar to the one stolen from a patient's hand in Broomfield Hospital - Credit: Essex Police
An eternity ring with rubies and diamonds and a gold wedding band were stolen from a hospital patient's finger.
Low value "tin" rings were left in their place, covered in tape to hide the swap.
The woman in her 80s was admitted to Broomfield Hospital's Notley Ward, and she sadly passed away nine days later.
During her time on Notley Ward in June, her daughter saw the rings had been taped over.
When staff were asked to remove the tape, it was discovered the patient's rings had been swapped with the tin ones.
Her two rings were on her hand when she was admitted and were never removed during any treatment.
PC Grimsey of Essex Police is leading the investigation, and the force has issued images similar to the missing rings.
Most Read
- 1 Scammer conned North Essex man out of £6,000
- 2 Every household in the UK to get £400 to help with rising energy bills
- 3 RideLondon 5 year plan: 900 object to district road closures
- 4 Explained: What the cost of living support package means for you
- 5 Obituary: Michael Hitchcock was known as 'Mr Bardfield'
- 6 RideLondon: The Uttlesford road closures list
- 7 Can you answer these 10 GCSE questions designed for 16-year-olds?
- 8 Extra trains to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Betfred Challenge Cup final
- 9 Dunmow Rovers Youth FC get £1,000 donation for new kits
- 10 Dunmow Rovers Tigers Under 10s celebrate 'fantastic result'
They want to hear from anyone who has been offered the rings for sale, or who know where they are.
PC Grimsey said: “The rings were of sentimental value and the family are understandably distraught that this has happened.
“The rings signified happier times in the lady’s life, but her family are now robbed of those precious memories.
“One is a gold wedding band and one is a ruby and diamond ring."
If you have information, call police on 101 and quote reference 42/112803/21.
Or submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.
Anonymous information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’ve taken this incident extremely seriously and will be working closely with the police to support their investigation.”
The images are of rings similar to the two that have been stolen. They are not the actual rings.