Thieves target abandoned cars as hospital emergency unit stays shut

ROADS remained impassable and towns remained at a standstill yesterday as South Yorkshire attempted to cope with another day under the heaviest snowfall in living memory.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Dec 2010, 22:21 BST
Updated 2nd Dec 2010, 22:21 BST

All First bus services were suspended, Robin Hood Airport was closed for a second day and, despite the county's four councils insisting they were gritting to the best of their abilities, most drivers had no choice but to leave their cars at home.

Thieves also took advantage of motorists being forced to abandon their vehicles on the snowy roads.

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A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police have received reports of at least eight cars having been broken into on Treeton Lane in Rotherham, after the cars were abandoned there.

"Officers have also been required to patrol the treacherous stretch of the A57 around South Anston to safeguard the loads of the abandoned HGVs."

More than 300 schools stayed shut yesterday and Barnsley Hospital's outpatients department, which has been shut for much of the week, is closed again today.

All non-urgent appointments and surgery have also been cancelled at hospitals in Sheffield and Rotherham.

One of Sheffield's most popular events, the Victorian Christmas Market at Kelham Island Industrial Museum which was due to take place this weekend, has been called off because of the snow.

Related topics:South YorkshirePoliceRotherham