UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM PHONE COMPANY CAUSE HOSPITAL PAGER NETWORK PROBLEMSThe Welwyn & Hatfield Times - part of Herts24Computer theft puts out hospital staff
17 August 2005
EDITORIAL - whtimes@archant.co.uk

HOSPITAL staff were left without pagers for 12 hours after a burglary at a mobile phone company.

The thieves forced their way into the Vodafone offices on Boulevard Business Park, WGC, and stole computer equipment which brought the pager network down.

Press spokesman Toby Robson told the WHT: "It affected about 18,000 customers and this did include a number of hospital staff from across the country.

"As soon as we became aware of the situation, we put our contingency plans into action to get it back up and running as quickly as possible."

He added: "It took about 12 hours for repairs to be made."

Police said that five doors were damaged during the incident on August 2.

A reception area and offices were ransacked but nothing of any value was taken.

Detective sergeant Ian Butler, from Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: "We believe the two offenders broke into the building just before midnight and left around an hour later.

"It is possible they used a metal trolley to move the stolen goods, which was abandoned outside the building."

The first thief is described as a white male, about 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with dark hair.

He was wearing a blue short sleeved T-shirt, beige shorts with cargo-style pockets and white trainers.

The other offender was a white male of similar build and height.

He was also wearing white trainers, beige shorts with cargo-style pockets and a white or beige buttoned shirt.

Anyone with information should call Ds Butler on 01707 638229 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.