A PATIENT who saw thieves breaking into two cars parked outside a hospital is being urged to contact police.

Thieves broke into a Daihatsu and Skoda Felicia parked outside Shotley Bridge Hospital, at about 4pm on Tuesday.

A car stereo was stolen from the Daihatsu.

A man visiting the outpatients unit saw the criminals and alerted staff, who called the police.

A grey fleece jacket was stolen from the waiting room in the hospital's minor injuries unit the same afternoon.

It is also believed that two car crimes outside Belle Vue Leisure Centre and Consett Swimming Pool, and a car stolen in Medomsley Road, Consett, are the work of the same gang.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Karen Veitch, at Consett police station, on (01207) 504204, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.