A paramedic has been left heartbroken after thieves stole her handbag and engagement ring – while she treated a patient.
The devastated mum-of-two, 43, was treating a man inside his home when the ‘irreplaceable’ ring was pinched, as well as an eternity ring and her handbag containing house and car keys.
The woman, who does not want to be named, had the valuable items stolen from her emergency response vehicle in Gillingham, Kent, last Sunday after receiving a late-night 999 call.
Partner Bradley Gardiner turned to social media to appeal for the safe return of the jewellery, which he says has ‘sentimental value’ to the couple, who live in Rainham, Kent.
He said: “She is extremely distressed – she does the job because she wants to help people.
“She could easily have been saving somebody’s life when this happened, it is sickening.
“We reported it to the police but we haven’t heard much from them – in their eyes, it’s a petty crime, but to us it’s a lot more than that.
“I’m really quite angry about it, it’s disgusting and it’s not about the money, it has sentimental value.
“She has done her job for 15 years and it’s not a 9-5 job, she does 12-hour shifts and starts early and finishes late, because she wants to help people.
“She gives up so much time for it and then this happens, and someone has taken something valuable from all of us.
“It’s not about the money but now we’ve had to get the locks changed and because it was not stolen from our home, we are not insured.
“This is on top of Christmas and our son’s sixth birthday too.”
Bradley’s partner had been on a 5pm to 2am shift when the thieves struck at around midnight.
The mechanic said police had told him the thieves withdrew £300 from his fiancée’s account within half of an hour of the theft.
He has received a huge response since posting about the rings on Facebook, but has had no news on their whereabouts.
His partner’s bag, which was also stolen, was made by designer Michael Kors and is distinctive – white with tan handles and tan spots.
Bradley added: “I would appeal to anyone who has a conscience to think what they have done.
“But then again I think whoever did this probably does not have a conscience.
“Both rings have memories for us both.
“I gave her the Pandora eternity ring as a surprise on her 40th birthday.
“Yes, I could go out and buy identical rings, but it would not be the same.”
Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service have been contacted for a comment
