£5,000 computer raid on doctors' surgery

The surgery in Turkey Road was closed after the overnight raid.

Because of the disruption to patient services at the busy practice, police graded their response as urgent.

PC Rob Knight said alarm system components both outside the surgery and inside had been smashed and disabled, enabling the raiders to make a detailed search of all consulting rooms.

He stressed: "No patients' personal confidential information has been compromised."

Scenes of Crimes Officers made a detailed examination of the building before staff and patients could be re-admitted.

Five Aztec computer monitors and keypads were stolen in last Thursday's raid together with two printers and a fax machine.

Police later recovered three computers which had been abandoned beside the former tram track between Pebsham and Bexhill Road, St Leonards. After examination, the equipment was returned to the surgery.

Inspector Max Mosley said: "A large number of computers were stolen. Some were found and returned. Others are still missing.

"Police have advised chemists about the possible fraudulent use of prescriptions forms which may have been taken in the raid."