HOSPICE bosses have had to warn visitors about a spate of break-ins by thieves targeting built-in sat nav equipment in vehicles left in its car park.

In the space of a week, five cars, all Volkswagen group models, have been broken into at one of Marie Curie’s car parks in Maudsley Street, Bradford.

Two of the five thefts - which involved smashed car windows - are believed to have been from people coming to visit terminally ill patients, two were staff members and another person there on business.

The break-ins all occurred during the day time and the thieves have been branded “disgraceful” by a senior councillor for deliberately targetting the hospice.

Marie Curie, which cares for 16 residential end-of-life patients as well as providing facilities for day care patients at its Bradford centre, said it was working with the police and stepping-up security.

Just over two years ago the hospice was the victim of a series of lead thefts from the roof, leaving the charity with an £8,000 repair bill.

Hospice manager Jo Whincup said: “As these incidents are currently under investigation by the police, we are unable to comment in detail.

“However, we would like to reassure our patients and their families that we have put additional security measures in place and are being supported by the police to prevent further incidents.”

Bradford Council deputy leader, Councillor Imran Khan, whose family has been helped by Marie Curie staff in the past, said he was appalled by thefts.

Cllr Khan, whose Bowling and Barkerend ward includes the hospice, said: “I was horrified to hear the news.

“It is disgraceful that people would target people connected to or visiting a hospice which is caring for ill and vulnerable people.

“Whoever is doing this should be ashamed of themselves.

“I hope the police take this matter very seriously and look for the perpetrators as a matter of urgency and deal with them appropriately.”

It is rumoured the thieves are after certain “chips” which are in the built-in sat nav and audio systems in VW cars.

The hospice has posted a “car security notice” in its entrance doorway warning VW owners of the break-ins.

Imdad Hussain, a spokesman for the Jamia Tul Madinah mosque, which is next to the hospice, said “It is distressing news and I will ask our users to be aware of the incidents and report any they are aware of immediately to the police.”

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A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers have received several reports of cars being broken into and stealing sat nav systems while parked in Maudsley Street.

“CCTV inquiries are ongoing by officers and anyone with information is asked to contact police.”

Sergeant Arslan Akram, of Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “Our neighbourhood officers are patrolling this area and we are acting on information we have received from members of the public.

“We have received several reports from victims whose cars have been targeted, and I would urge anyone else who has been a victim to report it to police.

A year ago the Telegraph & Argus reported that owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda vehicles were being advised by West Yorkshire Police to secure the integrated sat nav systems in their vehicles following a surge in thefts.

James Bolton, a spokesman for Volkswagen UK said the company was unaware of any of its models being specifically targeted for chips from built-in sat nav or audio systems, but it would investigate the claims.