Theft at the doctors' surgery

[Christmascheerinateacup]

Long story short my DH had his wallet stolen yesterday at the doctors. He saw the person rifling through his jacket but was flustered at the time and the guy mumbled something vaguely feasible - and also had his child with him - so DH thought " odd " but nothing more until he realised his wallet was gone and thought back.
The surgery does not have CCTV.
They say they can not tell the police the name of the patient who DH saw stealing without a court order. Is this really the case?
Surely if this patient had stolen drugs or attacked the nurse they wouldn't be protecting his identity?

I'm sure that's true.

The police will get one.

No that's not right. When it's a criminal matter they can give details of the name and also address.

The police should be making that request direct to the surgery. Obviously they don't need details of his medical history or anything because that's not relevant.

I'll see if I can find a link but I'm on my phone so slow.

X-posted with Laurie. Here's the link www.ico.gov.uk/Global/faqs/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Detailed_specialist_guides/SECTION_29_GPN_V1.ashx

Sorry here: www.ico.gov.uk/Global/faqs/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Detailed_specialist_guides/SECTION_29_GPN_V1.ashx

The surgery could technically insist on a court order but it does not appear to be necessary in these circumstances and would just waste everyone's time.

Thankyou so much for the info; i'll check out the link and follow up.
We informed the Police but they were fairly disinterested and had us call the doctors to see if they had CCTV! Cards cancelled etc so no damage done bar the huge inconvenience, just a bummer of a way to start the holidays.

He saw him... But didn't challenge him? Did he see him with his actual wallet? Where was the coat? All questions the police will ask as it sounds quite flimsy

Sorry, reading that back sounded quite snappy.... Didn't mean it like that.

You're welcome. Try not to think about it too much and enjoy your Christmas. I imagine the thief must be pretty desperate to do such a thing with his child in tow. Not that it's an excuse but it might help to think that way and not feel it was personal.

Did you get a crime reference number? You should do because then you'll know it's logged properly. Your dh will probably get a letter from victim support too at some point.

Have a good Christmas

Littlest, I just typed a complete reply and lost 3G so it has disappeared.
No, he didn't see him with the wallet. Yes, he did see him rifling through his pockets and later wallet was gone.
Coat was over pram which was outside nurses room at the end of a segregated corridor at the surgery. DH came out of the room to grab the change bag and saw the guy who at the time mumbles something about lifting the pram brake with his hand to move it so that he could get past. This was what DH thought was odd but didn't challenge as he had a screaming post-jab 3month old in his arms and a 3 year old whingeing at his heels. Only retrospectively did he realise that you could fit 2 prams in the corridor without a hint of a squeeze, and what the guy was actually doing was helping himself. CCTV would be so helpful...
I do think it's sad that someone did this with their child in tow, but DH had 2 in tow. Don't we all have mouths to feed?

Btw going to the docs is not normally a family day out for us - yesterday DH took the boys so I had a chance to do some shopping alone for once!

Blimey!