Chinese police issue warning after thefts from hospitals by bogus doctors and patients

Chinese police have warned hospitals to increase security after recent cases of thefts from hospitals by suspects disguising themselves as doctors and patients, mainland media reports.

Police in the city of Chongqing have detained two men in recent weeks who are believed to have stolen personal items from patients, the Chongqing Evening News reported.

In one case, a man stole a doctor’s white coat and then wore it while walking through a ward before he grabbed the handbag of a woman patient at Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre.

Surveillance cameras filmed the suspect taking the gown from an office and later checking the contents of handbag while standing on the stairwell of the hospital on March 17.

He was arrested in an internet café in the city 11 days later.