Teenager charged after slashing car tyres of COVID nurse at QE Hospital in Birmingham

A teenager has been charged with criminal damage after several cars had tyres slashed at a hospital car park, including one belonging to a COVID nurse who’d just finished a 12-hour shift.

Officers responded to a call from security staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in the early hours of yesterday morning (1 Nov) reporting two men trying car door handles.

They arrived minutes later and found at least four vehicles whose tyres had been punctured.

A 16-year-old boy from Weoley Castle was arrested and has now been charged with criminal damage, vehicle interference and going equipped to steal.

He has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 16 November but in the meantime is bound by conditions including to live and sleep at a specified address and an overnight curfew.

Birmingham Police Chief Inspector Sarah Tambling described the damage of key workers’ vehicles as “disgusting”.

She added: “It’s truly shocking that vehicles belonging to NHS staff have been targeted. It appears offenders were trying door handles and if they were unable to gain access were slashing tyres as an act of spite.

“Some of these victims are putting their lives on the line to save others…they deserve the respect and support of everyone. And it’s beyond belief someone would target their property while they are at work in a hospital.

“We won’t tolerate offences against key workers and offenders can expect to be charged and put before the courts.”

Police enquiries are continuing in a bid to identify the second suspect believed to be involved in the car attacks, and are urging anyone with information to get in touch, quoting log 719 from 1 November.