Christmas Presents for Sick Children Stolen From Great Ormond Street Hospital

Christmas presents intended for children in intensive care have been stolen from London's Great Ormond Street hospital.

Police were called following a report that up to 20 wrapped presents for children who would not be home for Christmas had been taken.

The presents included portable DVD players, DVDs, Nintendo DS games consoles, games and toys, and were paid for by the hospital's charity fund.

Insp Neal Anderson said: "To steal presents that were supposed to be for children too sick to be at home with their families at Christmas is beyond belief.

"I would urge anyone who has information about the individual, or persons responsible, to contact officers so that we can try and get the items back before Christmas Day.

"I would also urge the thief to try and think about their actions and do the decent thing and return them."

The gifts were stolen sometime between Friday and Monday, and were taken from a private area of the hospital, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Officers from Camden Borough are investigating the theft.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and ask for the CID office at Holborn, or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.