Coronavirus: Nurse has car and medical equipment stolen

‘Her work is stressful anyway and this has really hit her hard. She is scared of being in the house now,’ says husband

A community nurse in Manchester providing essential care for patients has had her car and nurse’s kit containing medical equipment stolen.

Victoria Roberts, 33, was about to go to work from her home in Longsight on Thursday morning when it dawned on her her car was missing from the driveway.

Her car, a Peugeot 208, contained her nurse’s kit in the boot. Basic nurse kits usually contain a blood pressure cuff, a resuscitation shield, dressing scissors, a tourniquet, hand sanitiser and a thermometer, among other items.

Mrs Roberts is a nurse practitioner in the community and provides medical care to patients in their homes, including those who are at high risk of coronavirus infection and are unable to leave the house due to self isolation.

Her husband, Brendan, 34, said he saw three men in balaclavas breaking in through the front door at around 5.20am when he checked their home CCTV.

One of the men appeared to be carrying a screwdriver. The group took the keys to the car, which Mrs Roberts bought late last year, while the couple and their seven-year-old daughter Faith were upstairs sleeping.

Mr Roberts, an IT technician who is also considered a key worker, said: “Victoria’s job is to help look after people who are elderly or have just had surgery.

“Lots of them can’t leave the house now and her car is vital for her to get around and see them, but today she hasn’t been able to go in.

“Her work is stressful anyway and this has really hit her hard. She is scared of being in the house now.”

“All her NHS equipment, probably worth thousands, was in there because her car is like her workplace.”

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police said the incident was being investigated.

Mr and Mrs Roberts are waiting for insurers to assess the situation but have been told to expect to receive compensation equivalent to the trade value of the car.

A Gofundme account has been set up by Mr Roberts to raise money following the theft.

Reporting by PA