9-Year-Old Cancer Patient's Phone Stolen

16 March 2011, 08:52

Police are appealing for information after a mobile phone was stolen from a private room on a children’s ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

The phone – a white Sony Walkman handset with pink keys – which belongs to a nine-year-old girl who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, was taken from a private room on the Starfish ward.

It is believed the phone was taken between 10:40am and 11:15am on Wednesday, March 2.

The phone contains pictures of the nine-year-old, who is from Havant, and her sister which are of great sentimental value to the family.

The nine-year-old’s father has called the phone and sent a text message asking for its return, but to no avail.

He has this message for whoever has taken the phone or knows where it is:

“This phone is of no significant value in money terms, but to my daughter and our family it has huge sentimental value.

"It is also the only way we keep in touch with our daughter when we can’t be with her at her bedside.

“Whoever has taken it must have realised it was a child’s room and the room itself is on a ward for very sick children.

"I just cannot believe how someone could do this under the circumstances.”

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Nigel Dowland, Crime Desk Supervisor at Fratton Police Station, on 101.

Alternatively you can call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.