A hospital has been forced to tighten security because thieves and vandals are preying on people visiting hospital patients.

The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath will provide a 24-hour security service for friends and relatives visiting the hospital following a sharp increase in the number of car crimes.

In 1998, there were 25 car crimes at the hospital. This year there have already been 36 in which vehicles have been broken into, vandalised and valuables taken.

Staff are so concerned they have collected dozens of signatures on a petition calling for better car park security.

A team including managers, staff, and fund-raisers is considering the problem and has drawn up proposals for improving security.

Hospital managers recently decided to bring in car parking charges for visitors from the end of January 2001 and they have pledged to put some of the money into cutting crime.

Ticket machines will be installed at 17 locations at the hospital, on the four largest car park sites and other smaller sites.

About half the expected net income of about £238,000 a year will be put towards the extra security measures, including extra staff. The rest will go into general hospital funds.

General services manager for Mid Sussex NHS Trust, David Long, said the board took the decision having listened to staff concerns and promised that revenue raised from the charges will be used to pay for additional security.

But he said CCTV security cameras will not be considered until there has been an assessment of how much cash the new charges will raise.

Staff have been asking for CCTV security camera coverage of the car parks to improve personal security for staff, especially those working night shifts.

The charges, which will not apply to staff or to volunteer drivers who bring patients to the hospital, will be 60p an hour up to £5 for a day.