THE NHS trust that runs Southmead Hospital has partnered with independent charity Crimestoppers to help prevent crime.

The partnership between the charity, which helps law enforcement to locate criminals and help solve crimes, and North Bristol NHS Trust, aims to help reduce the number of incidents and investigate any that occur in the future.

The trust was visited by the charity last Thursday at Southmead Hospital’s Brunel building to raise awareness of the support it can offer to staff, patients and visitors, which includes an anonymous helpline through which staff, patients and visitors can report crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Instances of crime can affect a hospital’s ability to provide safe and urgent care to the community.

Crimestoppers can investigate offences such as bed-hopping, theft of medicines and equipment, abuse, human exploitation, knife crime, and violent behaviour.