LIB DEMS REVEAL COST OF THEFTS FROM POLICE STATIONS

Thousands of pounds worth of equipment have been stolen from police stations in the North East, the Liberal Democrats can reveal.

Among the thefts from Northumbria Police's police stations included a £12,000 police patrol car, a mini-moto, mobile phones, clothes, cash and drugs.

The police car was taken when a thief sneaked into Morpeth police station through an open side door and stole a jacket and keys.

The thief took the vehicle, which was parked outside the station, and crashed it causing damage to two parked cars.

The culprit was subsequently charged by police following the incident, which happened on May 3 last year.

The thefts were uncovered by Newcastle Liberal Democrats in a Freedom of Information request to Northumbria Police.

In total £18,500 worth of goods have been stolen from police stations in the Northumbria force area since 2004.

The FOI request also revealed that many of the incidents were opportunist with thieves taking advantage of high valued property like police equipment or mobile phones being left unattended.

Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, said: "It is astonishing that a thief can walk into a police station through an unsecured door and steal the keys to a £12,000 patrol car.

"You would think that the one place where things would be safely locked up would be in a police station.

"Many of the thefts were obviously opportunist and I would hope that Northumbria Police improves security at its police stations in order to stop this type of crime."