Essential personal protective equipment has been stolen in a break-in at an NHS building.
Staff working for Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust arrived at the office in Windsor Street, Salford, on Sunday morning to find it had been ransacked.
A number of laptops and some petty cash were also among the items taken by the thief, who police say was wearing gloves and a balaclava.
The office is used by Salford Care Homes Practice, a GP surgery that looks after people in the city's care homes.
In a post on Facebook, one NHS worker described the theft of the protective gear as a 'massive sucker punch' and said they felt 'gutted, angry and in shock'.
The theft comes at a time when many frontline workers, including doctors and nurses, are working without personal protective equipment (PPE) due to national shortages.
A spokesperson for Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are shocked and saddened that one of our community bases has been burgled and belongings stolen, including some items of PPE equipment.
“Our priority has been supporting staff based at this unit and ensuring they have access to the equipment that they need to carry out their roles. It’s a testament to staff that service delivery has not been significantly impacted today following this incident.
“We will support Greater Manchester Police in their ongoing inquiries.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police added: "Police were called shortly before 7.50am on Sunday 12 April 2020 to reports of a burglary at an NHS building on Windsor Street in Salford.
"Initial enquiries have established that an offender – wearing gloves and a balaclava – made off with a number of laptops and a quantity of petty cash from offices inside the building.
"It is believed that the offender also caused criminal damage to another building nearby.
"No arrests have been made and investigation is underway.
"Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 2836 quoting incident number 680 of 12/04/2020. Details can also be anonymously passed to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111."
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