Burglars may be contaminated with asbestos, police warn

9:46am Saturday 28th July 2007

BURGLARS who broke into an asbestos riddled building need to see a doctor as they could be contaminated with the lethal dust, police warned today.

Thieves stole work wear, boots and equipment being used by specialist contractors to remove brown asbestos "the most dangerous type of the material'' from the former Car Shock building on the Skippers Lane Industrial Estate near Middlesbrough.

"I'd urge anyone who has taken these items to contact police - anonymously, if necessary - so we can arrange their urgent collection by people equipped to move these things safely."

PC Lee Derbyshire

Cleveland Police are so worried about the health risk to the crooks who broke in, they are appealing for them to get in touch with officers - anonymously, if need be - so the contaminated equipment, foot wear and clothing can be collected.

Police are concerned that whoever stole drills, numerous leads, yellow 110 volt transformers, lights, rigger boots and other work wear belonging to the contractors "will not realise that these goods are contaminated and as such could pose a serious danger to their health.'' The premises are split into three areas - a section which has undergone treatment, a self contained changing area for the contractors and an area waiting to have the asbestos removed.

PC Lee Derbyshire, who is investigating the burglary, said: "I'd urge anyone who has taken these items to contact police - anonymously, if necessary - so we can arrange their urgent collection by people equipped to move these things safely.

"In addition, if anyone should come across any of these items - all are either marked, or engraved with the letter "A'' in red - they should contact us immediately, again so we can take the necessary steps.'' And police say anyone coming into contact with the contaminated items should seek medical advice.

Anyone with information about the stolen equipment should contact Cleveland Police on 01642-302620 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.