CALLOUS thieves have struck at Manorlands hospice and cleared it out of desperately-needed equipment.

The ruthless raiders took thousands of pounds worth of power tools and other items from a building in the grounds of the Oxenhope centre.

Many of the goods were donated by family members of patients cared for at the Sue Ryder hospice.

The haul ranged from chain saws, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers to trowels and spirit levels.

The thieves broke into the stone lock-up, used by the estates supervisor, sometime last Thursday night.

It is the second time in weeks criminals have targeted the hospice. Earlier this month keys were stolen from a van parked there.

Sickened Manorlands bosses are appealing for anyone with information about the latest incident, or who may have been offered tools, to contact the police.

"It is very disappointing that anyone would target a hospice caring for dying people and their loved ones who are already going through the most difficult time of their lives," said hospice director Lizzie Procter.

"We were alerted to the incident overnight after a member of staff noticed the equipment store door was open. We reported it to the police immediately.

"We will continue to work with the police and would urge anyone with any information to come forward.

"As always, we remain committed to upholding the highest possible standards of care and safeguarding at Sue Ryder."

The hospice, which relies on public donations and its own fundraising efforts for much of its income, now faces a massive bill to replace items and upgrade security.

"It's unnecessary expenditure. We want money to go to the care of our patients," added Mrs Procter.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has described the thieves as "scum".

"This is appalling – particularly coming so soon after the last thefts from Manorlands," he said.

"The sick individuals who did it are the lowest of the low.

"It was clearly a pre-medicated crime and they knew what they were doing.

"It is likely that they will seek to sell-on the stolen goods, so I would ask local residents to be vigilant and inform the police if they believe they are being offered them.

"I want these people caught, convicted in a public court and put behind bars."

Worth Valley district councillor Glen Miller, a keen supporter of the hospice, said he was saddened at the latest incident.

"Manorlands will now have to look at updating its security to try to prevent this sort of thing happening again," he added.

"I would echo appeals for anybody with information or who is offered tools to pass on details to the police."

Anyone with information or who has been offered tools is asked to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference 13160129356.