A woman has been arrested in connection with thefts from elderly patients at a number of hospitals including St George's.

The 48-year-old, who is believed to have absconded from prison, was arrested by police in Canvey Island, Essex, on suspicion of theft last Tuesday.

Police issued a number of CCTV images last week after three patients, including a 98-year-old woman, had their keys stolen on November 7.

Within hours, houses belonging to some of the victims had been burgled with neighbours spotting the suspect leaving the property in Horsham and Crawley.

Detective Constable Paul Voigt, the investigating officer, said: "I should like to thank the media and everyone who responded to our recent appeal to identify this woman. I have no doubt that it led directly to her arrest."

Apart from St George's two other hospitals in Sussex was targetted, Crawley Hospital and East Surrey Hospital.

A spokesperson for St George’s Healthcare said: “St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust is committed to keeping all of its patients, visitors and staff safe and ensuring that levels of crime are kept to a minimum. "However, the very nature of our work means that thousands of people pass through our doors every day making security a significant challenge.