Police have voiced their disbelief after £166,000 of PPE gear meant for frontline NHS staff was stolen from a warehouse.
Detectives are investigating the “sickening” and “shocking” theft, which took place at a unit in Salford overnight.
Sick thieves escaped with 80,000 KN95 face masks, which had been supplied by manufacturer Puro Medico.
They were supposed to be used by NHS, council workers and care home workers, the Manchester Evening News reports.
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The theft happened between 9.30pm and 11.30pm at the at Trafalgar Business Park.
CCTV showed three thieves arrive at the premises in three separate vehicles.
The suspects, two of which are believed to be male, were wearing dark clothing at the time of the offence.
They broke into a van parked in front of the shutters and removed the handbrake to roll it away from the doors.
They then used machinery to cut a hole in the shutters to gain access to the PPE.
Police say no other items were stolen. No arrests have yet been made.
Chris Mannion, detective inspector for Greater Manchester Police, said it was “beggars’ belief” that the individuals could “strike at the heart of society at this moment in time”.
He said: “Today we have launched an investigation into a burglary that occurred overnight here at Trafalgar Business Park here in Salford, where an estimated £166,000 worth of protective face masks has been stolen.
“We believe this burglary took place between 9:30pm and 11:30pm last night, and we have been working throughout the day to gather as much information that could lead us to the perpetrator of this crime.
“Our enquiries so far have suggested there are three offenders in dark clothing, at least two of them are men and they were also believed to have made off in three separate vehicles. A white Mercedes Sprinter van, a grey Volkswagen caddy van, and a grey silver estate vehicle.
“It is striking how deliberate and calculated and targeted this incident was. The offenders were at the scene for around two hours, and no other items other than the PPE were stolen.
“This is a particularly sickening crime when you consider that the PPE was intended the NHS and for care home workers. And at a time where we are trying to protect the NHS, and one another againts one common enemy in COVID-19.
“To know that there are individuals out there that are prepared to steal the equipment, that keeps the front-line workers and vulnerable safe is quite frankly shocking, and I am determined that we catch these perpetrators as soon as possible.
“I appeal to anyone with information, no matter how small, to do the right thing and contact the police on 0161 856 5345 quoting incident number 42 on the 7th May 2020, or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, Thank you.”
