ANGRY managers at the Great Western Hospital have spoken of their disgust after thieves stole a nurse's car while she was working her night shift.

The blue Ford Ka was taken just after 1am on Saturday, but the owner did not find out until she finished her shift at 4am.

The thieves stole the woman's handbag from the staff room and used the keys to take the vehicle from the staff car park.

The car was seen in the Freshbrook area just after 8am on Saturday but police have not yet been able to recover it.

Chris Birdsall, spokesman for Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, pictured, said: "We are absolutely disgusted by this theft.

"The fact that people would prey on nurses, or any medical staff, when they are doing their best to care for people beggars belief.

"You just wonder how low people can sink. It's an absolutely appalling thing to do."

Insp Paul Hawkins, of Swindon police, was equally disgusted at the crime.

He said: "Nurses are obviously employed to help members of the community in times of their greatest need. I am appalled to think that anybody could stoop this low as to break into a hospital and steal a nurse's car and other effects."

Two males, aged between 17 and 18, wearing grey, hooded tops, were in the car when it was spotted in Freshbrook on Saturday.

Insp Hawkins said: "I would urge everyone in the West Swindon area to be vigilant and report any sightings to the police immediately."

The thief, or thieves, got into the staff room from inside the hospital and left through a window.

Police say it is possible that the crook watched the member of staff park her car and so knew which vehicle the keys were for.

The theft comes after police warned of a spate of cars being taken from driveways.

As reported in the Adver earlier this month, police said that more than £200,000 worth of cars had been taken in recent incidents where the crooks broke into homes and stole the keys while the owners slept in their beds.

Anyone with information on the latest stolen car should call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.