Ninewells dominates in Tayside hospital crime figures
Police dealt with more than 100 incidents of assault, theft and vandalism in hospitals around Tayside last year.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 01.02.12
- Published online : 01.02.12 @ 08.21am
Ninewells Hospital in Dundee recorded the highest level of crime activity and was the only one to have been the target of a bomb hoax.
The findings, released by police after a freedom of information request, reveal there were 27 cases of assault, 14 of which were against an emergency worker.
Theft was the single biggest recorded crime with 58, while there were 17 incidents of vandalism.
NHS Tayside said it is attempting to reduce crime at all its premises and is working closely with Tayside Police to improve security measures, which include increasing the number of CCTV cameras and security access doors at Ninewells.
The health board's director of operations, Ken Armstrong, said: ''We recently hosted a multi-agency awareness event at Ninewells with Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue and Dundee City Council, which was aimed at both staff and members of the public, to highlight the importance of personal protection measures, crime prevention and community safety.
''We take every opportunity to remind patients, visitors and staff to be 'security aware' and to do all that they can to protect themselves and colleagues, property and information.''
Tayside's largest acute hospital, Ninewells, reported 76 crimes to police over the 12 month period, almost five times more than Sunnyside Royal Hospital in Montrose, which suffered the second highest crime rate, with 16.
At the other end of the scale, Arbroath Infirmary, Ashludie Hospital, Brechin Infirmary, Crieff Community Hospital, Royal Dundee Liff Hospital and the Young Persons Unit at Dudhope House all recorded just one crime each.
Tayside Police said: ''Serious incidents are rare and the crimes reported to us in many ways reflect the range of crimes that come to our attention from the wider community, including theft, assault and breach of the peace. Very often they are exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption.
''Such incidents will no more be tolerated in hospitals, or any other health or medical centre for that matter, than they are elsewhere in society.
''Crimes of violence and anti-social behaviour are unacceptable in whatever form they take, and we work hard with our partners to reduce them and to detect them when they occur.
''No-one working in the emergency services should have to tolerate verbal or physical abuse in the line of duty. Such incidents are completely unacceptable and should be reported to the police.''
He continued: ''Likewise, anyone in need of medical attention or assistance should be able to attend at hospital safe in the knowledge that they will not become a victim of crime or have to suffer the abusive behaviour of others.''
A total of 62 people were traced by police in connection to the incidents and subsequently reported to the procurator fiscal, while nine received an informal warning.
09.10am - 01.02.2012 Fraser - Perth, Scotland Report This
The biggest hospital in Tayside has the highest amount of police incidents, that's surprising....
09.36pm - 08.02.2012 D - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I wonder how many professionals are verbally abusive but this goes unreported because of in balance of power and recognition that actually a professional is more than capable of being abusive too. There are no posters about professionals being abusive - no recorded protection for the patient.
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