A dying woman allegedly had £2,500 jewellery stolen in hospital and police “couldn’t be bothered” with her case, a friend has said.

Andrew Colin called the ambulance on January 10 after finding his friend Vera Sand, 89, “staggering” around her home in Stanmore.

Mr Colin said she was taken to hospital in an ambulance and at the time, she was wearing rings, a gold bracelet and a gold necklace.

Mr Colin, who accompanied Mrs Sand in hospital, said the 89-year-old woman was taken to a cubicle to change, where staff removed her clothes and belongings, including her jewellery. Hospital staff recorded her belongings on a sheet.

Mr Colin said in the late afternoon he asked the head nurse in the Eddison Ward where her jewellery was, he was then provided with the sheet which he said had no jewellery recorded on it.

He was told that it would be in a sealed valuables bag, when the bag was opened no jewellery was found.

He claimed there were only hearing aids, glasses and a few broaches.

He said that the nurse then asked to see if there was another bag. It was after realising that there wasn't another valuables bag that Mrs Sand's jewellery was missing.

Sadly, Mrs Sand died in the early hours of January 11, two weeks away from her 90th birthday.

Mr Colin filed a report a day later at Mrs Sand's home with Met Police who said an officer would be sent to her house.

He added: “I described exactly where she lived, they said they would send someone round but they never showed up.”

Hillingdon Times:

Andrew Colin (pictured above) said he found Mrs Sand "staggering" around her home. Credit: Andrew Colin

Two hours after the first call, Mr Colin said no officer turned up to the address and after calling back, he was told an officer had rung the doorbell but no one had answered.

He added: "Vera was half deaf so that doorbell was like Big Ben, so we would have heard it. The police said they would then send round another officer."

Mr Colin said the second officer didn't show up, so he made a complaint.

Another report was made on January 23 by Mrs Sand's 60-year-old son about the missing jewellery.

Mr Colin said nothing came of this report and the case was later dropped.

He added: "Vera was a little old lady, nice as pie. She was generous as anything and the police couldn't be bothered with the case."

Met Police were contacted for comment and confirmed the case was dropped, but didn't explain why.

A spokesperson said: "Police were contacted on January 23 by a man aged in his 60s regarding the alleged theft of jewellery from a relative who had been admitted to Northwick Park Hospital.

“There have been no arrests and the case has been closed pending any further investigative opportunities.”

A spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust said that there wasn't a record of a complaint being made to the hospital but said the trust is always willing to investigate any concerns around missing items.

They added: "Patients or their families are welcome to discuss any issues they may have with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.”