[CPProt.net] UK: Hospital's art work stolen; Trust reviews security after £7,500 painting snatched

[MusSecNetworkCulPropProtNet]

Hospital's art work stolen
Trust reviews security after £7,500 painting snatched

By Nevin Farrell
01 February 2005

Health bosses have revealed they are now examining the security of valuable
paintings at dozens of buildings after it emerged a £7,500 picture swiped by
thieves was donated to a hospital by a patient who subsequently passed away.

Thieves strolled into the Braid Valley Hospital in Ballymena, which has a
unit for the terminally ill, and pulled the secured picture from a wall.

Hospitals often have paintings and other gifts given to them as bequests by
patients and their families.

The latest theft has prompted a security review across dozens of buildings
which are run by the United Hospitals Trust.

A United Hospitals Trust spokesperson commented: "The trust very much
appreciates bequests, such as the painting in Braid Valley Hospital, and
regrets that anyone would steal an item donated to give pleasure to
patients, staff and the public.

"The approach to displaying valuable artwork is one which endeavours to
balance making art visible and accessible with implementing reasonable
measures to minimise the likelihood of theft.

"The painting in question was encased in a cabinet which was secured to the
wall.

"A photograph of the painting is now with the police for identification
purposes.

"In light of this recent incident the trust will be reviewing the
arrangements in place on all of the trusts premises and will determine if
any additional measures can reasonably be implemented," the spokesperson
said.

The Braid Valley Hospital has some of the best pictures of Ballymena's
historic Seven Towers, which have given the town the informal title of City
of the Seven Towers.

The pictures used to be displayed near the hospital entrance but have been
moved in recent times.

However, the trust said it was not because of the fear of thieves.

The trust spokesperson added: "With regard to the photographs of the Seven
Towers, they were relocated as part of the renovation work undertaken on
site and in particular at the main entrance and can be found and viewed
along the main corridor."

In January 2003, police recovered five paintings which were stolen from the
Braid Valley Hospital.

Three of the paintings were found in a holdall near the hospital grounds and
another two were stashed in a hedge.

In 2000, thieves stole a handbag from the bedside of a terminally ill
patient and last year a thief stole a purse from a room for patients'
relatives.

The Braid Valley Hospital is close to areas of Ballymena where drugs have
been a major problem in recent years.

With some addicts spending hundreds of pounds a week on heroin habits,
police have admitted many thefts throughout the town are connected to the
drug problem.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/