Lifeguard's locker targeted by thief

Published on 12th July 2007 in News

A teenage lifeguard who is working to fund her first year at university fell victim to callous thieves last week.

The girl, whom her father has asked should not to be named, was on a shift at Goole Leisure Centre when her poolside locker was broken into.

Her bag, containing her driving licence, her mobile phone, her purse with cash inside, her bank cards and her iPod were all stolen, along with a prized t-shirt from a Sydney 2000 Olympic workshop.

The girl's father said: "She was up at 6am to start work at 6.45am.

"At lunchtime, she didn't come home but went to the gym.

"She went back on duty at 2pm and at 4pm she found her locker had been broken into."

Just two of the lockers were targeted - the lifeguard's and one next to it - and the man believes his daughter could have been watched.

"Obviously, it would be known that she works there because she had the lifeguard uniform on," he said. "There's no justice.

"It beggars belief that someone so young, who goes to work to save and preserve lives, can have theirs so horribly dealt a blow like this."

The girl is a first-year undergraduate at Hull University and works as a casual lifeguard to fund books, travel and other expenses. She had paid for the stolen items herself.

The victim's father has contacted the Goole Times in order to warn other leisure centre users that thieves operate in the area.

He is also offering a reward for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the thief or thieves, or the return of the stolen items.

These include: a black iPod nano (8 Gb, worth between £180 and £190), a Sony Ericsson walkman W810i mobile phone (worth around £200), a small brown leather purse containing £8 cash, a personal diary, bank cards, driving licence, Hull University identity card, a green leather Gola sports bag with white writing, black Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a grey hoodie with Hull Yorkshire written on it and a white Goole and District Swimming Club Sydney 2000 Olympic workshop t-shirt.

A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "Inquiries have been made with regards to CCTV in the centre and people are advised to contact police if they see anyone acting suspiciously.

"Anyone who may know who is responsible for the theft or may have seen any of the items discarded in the area is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 222 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

A spokesperson for Goole Leisure Centre said that in response to the theft, the building was searched, CCTV footage checked and the victim advised to report the theft to the police.

She also said theft from the leisure centre was not a recurring problem.

"There have been thefts in the past but it is rare," she said. "CCTV is in place, the keys are on bands and lifeguards patrol the area."