Vandals smash and grab at Whanganui Hospital

Six cars were damaged or stolen at Whanganui Hospital on Saturday night. PHOTO/FILE

Several cars have been either vandalised or stolen at Whanganui Hospital prompting calls for increased security.

Two cars were so badly damaged they could not be driven, and two were stolen.

Whanganui District Health Board has confirmed that six cars were affected by the vandalism on Saturday.

Patricia, who did not want to give her last name, is a regular visitor to the hospital as a family member works there.

Her family member's car was one of those that can now not be driven, after the side windows were smashed and the ignition so badly damaged that only exposed wiring was visible.

Patricia went to the hospital on Sunday to see the damage to the vehicle.

"I walked around the car park and was just blown away. There was smashed glass everywhere."

The vehicle had to be towed, and Patricia's insurance company is now deciding whether the car can be fixed or will be written off.

She said it's the second time the car has been damaged while parked at the hospital.

"Security at the hospital is crap - they just don't seem to be watching. The amount of damage that was done was so much that surely someone must have heard something."

Patricia said she knew staff were concerned about security in the hospital car parks. She would like to see increased lighting and security cameras in the car parks.

Whanganui District Health Board spokesman Brian Walden said he understands the break-ins and thefts were upsetting for staff, especially those who own the damaged and stolen cars.

He said anyone who has a car stolen or damaged should report the incident to the police, who will contact the DHB for more information.

Mr Walden said a security guard was available at the hospital every night of the week, with two on at weekends.

"The security guards can be contacted through our reception desk staff who are based in the emergency department at night.

"We have always told our staff that they are able to ask the night-time security guard to escort them to their cars at the end of their shifts," he said.

"All carparks at the front of the hospital campus are well lit. We do have security cameras in the carparks but coverage is limited."

Mr Walden said the WDHB will look at whether its camera coverage needs to be increased.

He said the duty manager on duty last weekend approved taxi vouchers for staff whose car were stolen or disabled.