PROUD parents have spoken of their disgust after thieves stole their camera containing pictures of their newborn daughter from a maternity ward.

Jack Galvin, from Acomb, and Laura Wilson, from Skelton, welcomed their daughter Rosie into the world at York Hospital at 6.20pm last Sunday, and spent the evening and following day taking pictures of her.

The purple Samsung camera was next to Laura’s bed, but when they returned from bathing Rosie it had disappeared.

Jack, 29, said: “We’re devastated, I just feel sick. I can’t believe anyone is that low. Pinching a camera at any time isn’t a great thing to do, but to pinch one from a maternity ward, knowing full well what would be on it, is just sickening.”

The couple reported the theft to staff, who were unable to find it, despite the ward being locked to unauthorised visitors.

Laura, 28, said: “Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve taken pictures of my bump so I could put them in an album and as soon as she came out there are pictures of her laid on my belly, and I’m never going to get them back, so I’m very upset.”

Jack said: “I’m hoping someone will read this and think about it and just send back the memory card with the photos on it. We don’t even care about the camera.”

A York Hospital spokeswoman said: “We are really sad to hear that this has happened on our premises. We aim to provide a safe and secure place for staff, visitors and patients, and thankfully thefts are rare.” She said the hospital had CCTV and security guards and provided lockers.

• The camera or memory card can be sent to The Press office.