Hastings care worker’s protective equipment stolen from his car

The man, who works for A1 Quality Homecare but asked not to be identified, said his Nissan Micra was broken into in Kildare Close, Hastings.

He said it happened some time between 10.30pm on Wednesday (April 1) – the time he returned from a shift – and 6.30am today (Friday, April 3) – the time he left for work for a double shift.

He said he was not sure how anyone gained access to his car as no windows were broken.

He told his assistant manager at A1 Quality Homecare, Verna Irvin, that masks, aprons, gloves and personal items had been stolen. He said other personal items had been removed from a bag and left on his front seat.

Verna added: “All that was taken was his PPE which was probably at present the most important thing in his car.

“He is a front line worker trying to deliver care to clients in their own homes and now has been left vulnerable with an increased risk of catching the virus whilst delivering an invaluable selfless service to a lot of peoples’ loved ones.”

The care worker said he would like to make other front line members of staff aware of the issue, as he urged them to be cautious and to keep their equipment indoors rather than in cars as ‘there are selfish people that will break in to take this’.

He added: “I would say take in all PPE at the moment when you have finished and don’t leave it in the car.

“People that steal PPE leave those on the front line and vulnerable clients at risk. It’s our only protection.”

Verna said the care worker’s equipment has been replaced by A1 but said their own PPE is ‘limited’.

The care worker said he would be reporting the incident to the police once he has finished his shift at work.