Copper cables worth an estimated three £3,000 have been stolen from the Medway Maritime Hospital.

Police believe the cables were stolen between 4.30pm on November 19 and 10am on November 20.

The cables were linked to the hospital’s emergency generator.

Det Chief Insp Jon Sutton, said:"Kent Police and the Medway Maritime Hospital are taking this theft extremely seriously.

"This was an irresponsible and thoughtless act of crime that could have had a dangerous outcome if the generator was needed overnight."

The cables were stolen from outside the emergency generator room, opposite the bus stop and next to the large roundabout at the front of the hospital.

Security staff provided by the hospital are now covering the area 24 hours a day.

&149; Anyone with information about this theft can contact Medway Police on 01634 792521 or call Kent CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.