Night staff working at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon in Cynon Valley returned to their cars this morning to find they'd been vandalised.
Three key workers at the minor injuries unit in Mountain Ash discovered that the back windows on their vehicles had been smashed in - an incident the local health board described as "very upsetting" during what is a "very difficult time" for its members.
In a tweet, a spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board asked anyone with any information to contact them or South Wales Police, which has said it will step up patrols at the hospital whilst investigating who might be behind the attacks.
Local Policing Inspector Simon Merrick, said: "When our health workers go to work, risking themselves to help and save others, somebody out there thinks it’s OK to target their cars. It is despicable and we’re determined to find who’s responsible - I’m sure with the community’s help we can."
The incident, which is thought to have taken place between 7pm yesterday and 7.30am today (Saturday, May 2), is the latest in a series which have singled out key workers. A woman had her car bonnet and headlights stolen after having parked at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on April 30.
Helen Dawes, a 44-year-old nursery nurse caring for children whose parents work at the facility, said she couldn't believe it when a security guard informed her that her vehicle had been targeted overnight.
"I couldn't take it in. I was just shocked," she said.
In late 2019, Morriston Hospital in Swansea was hit by a spate of similar thefts. Numerous cars and motorbikes were reported stolen from the premises over several months, with others stripped of various parts.
Anybody who has information about the incident at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon is urged to contact 101 quoting reference *149910.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously o 0800 555 111.
