YOU would think a hospital is the one place the sick and vulnerable could feel safe and secure. Well, not if pensioner Margaret Challenger’s experiences are anything to go by.

As we reveal today the 79-year-old from Pershore had money stolen from her handbag twice within a week while she was being treated at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

On the first occasion £40 and an irreplaceable photograph of Mrs Challenger’s late father were stolen. Eight days later £10 was stolen.

Her son describes whoever stole from his mother as she lay in her hospital bed as “disgusting”. We could not agree more.

But we wonder whether such pilfering is widespread in our hospitals. While we do not expect nurses to act as security guards there must be a way to keep an eye on people entering and leaving hospital wards.

We understand the WRH operates a security policy under which patients’ property is registered on arrival on a ward. We do not know whether the policy was adhered to in Mrs Challenger’s case or quite how the policy prevents thefts.

But it is clear that what Mrs Challenger endured should not have happened once, let alone twice.

The hospital and the police are now investigating. We hope those responsible for adding to Mrs Challenger’s distress are identified and that an example is made of them.

We also wonder whether the hospital’s security procedures are in need of review.