Coronavirus: Nottingham frontline nurse had bike stolen – but not all was lost

A nurse who had her bike stolen while serving on the coronavrius frontline has thanked police “from the bottom of her heart ” after they gave her a replacement and caught the thieves.

Karen Udtohan, who works on the COVID-19 admissions ward at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, discovered the bicycle missing after returning from a busy night shift.

Her boyfriend, whose bike it was, rang the police and reported the theft to the on-site security, who said there had been a number that evening.

Within hours, Nottinghamshire Police made a CCTV appeal and two men were arrested a short time later in connection with the thefts.

Ms Udtohan said: “I’d finished work after a busy and stressful night dealing with a number of patients. I made my way back to where I’d left my bike and had planned to meet my boyfriend. When I got there, I couldn’t see my bicycle.

“At first, I was in denial and thought I must have forgotten where I’d left it – but when I found the broken D-lock, I knew it had been taken.”

Despite the arrests, Ms Udtohan was still without a bike – until the police stepped in to help.

The force found a bike from its own fleet used by neighbourhood policing teams across the county, which had become surplus to requirements.

Ms Udtohan said: “One of the officers looking into our case offered to give me a replacement bicycle and I am so grateful

“It’s a really nice bike and they even included a pannier bag.”

She added: “I really appreciate all the effort that the officers have put into this case.

“I am happy that the thieves have been caught already and hope that the action on this case is a lesson to anyone who thinks about stealing.

“I couldn’t believe that people would do something like this, we work incredibly hard in the NHS and I am pleased that the people who did this have been brought to justice.

“I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ from the bottom of my heart to Nottinghamshire Police. The NHS aren’t the only heroes during this unprecedented time – the police are heroes, too.”

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Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin said: “As soon as the bike burglaries were reported to Nottinghamshire Police, everyone at Nottinghamshire Police was desperate to make sure that those responsible were caught and brought before the courts for what is a truly shocking series of incidents that targeted key workers working on the frontline to tackle the pandemic.

“During this outbreak, we all have a duty to protect the NHS and, as the police, we will do everything in our power to help protect our fellow key workers and the public we serve at such a difficult time.

“Donating a bicycle is the least we could do to show our appreciation and support for the incredible work Karen and her colleagues are doing.”

David Moran, 35, of Courtleet Way, and Craig Lancaster, 29, of Camrose Close, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 30 March where they pleaded guilty to the burglary of the hospital’s cycle storage unit.

Both men are due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on 20 April.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Nottingham frontline nurse had bike stolen – but not all was lost