A THIEF stole a pensioner’s purse as she lay sick and helpless in a hospital bed.

The youth came into the 83- year-old woman’s room, took her purse from her bedside table drawer and searched through it before stealing it.

The purse contained about £15 and an irreplaceable brooch.

Crime Stats

The Daily Echo provides interactive stats so you can check what crimes have happened in your neighbourhood. Check our interactive crime stats for for more.

Now police have urged all staff and patients at Southampton General Hospital to be vigilant as they appeal for information about the “cruel” crime.

The woman was on ward G5 at the hospital lying in her hospital bed when the teenager came into her room just after 7.15pm.

The purse he took was ovalshaped in green and red tartan. The brooch was oval shaped and silver. It had a glass window with a butterfly underneath.

The thief is described as white, about 16, 5ft, wellbuilt, with mousey, slightly curly hair.

He was wearing a black baseball cap and a khaki, knee-length green coat.

PC Alex Boucouvalas said: “This is a cruel incident where the elderly victim lay helpless in her bed.

“The offender managed to get past staff at the hospital without them realising what he was doing.

“I would advise all staff and patients at the hospital to be vigilant.”

Anyone with information about the crime on Thursday, December 1 can call PC Boucouvalas at Shirley Police Station on 101.