Cancer girl's phone stolen in Portsmouth hospital
A nine-year-old girl has had her mobile phone stolen while in hospital receiving cancer treatment.
The phone - a white Sony Walkman handset with pink keys - was taken from a private room on the Starfish ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
The phone contains pictures of the nine-year-old, from Havant, and her sister that are of "great sentimental value" to the family, police said.
The girl's father has called the phone and sent a text message.
Keep in touch
Police said it was taken on the morning of 2 March.
The girl's father, who has not been identified, said in a statement released through Hampshire Constabulary: "This phone is of no significant value in money terms, but to my daughter and our family it has huge sentimental value.
"It is also the only way we keep in touch with our daughter when we can't be with her at her bedside.
"Whoever has taken it must have realised it was a child's room and the room itself is on a ward for very sick children.
"I just cannot believe how someone could do this under the circumstances."
The hospital said it was "disappointed" the theft happened.
"This is fortunately a rare occurrence and we are working closely with the police, supporting their investigation," a spokesman added.