Carjacking leads to Police Beat demand

A GOLD Coast MP has renewed calls for a Police Beat at Gold Coast University Hospital precinct after a nurse was carjacked at knifepoint.

Member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said she had been crying out for a Police Beat at the premises for more than four years.

Taking to Facebook, she said the safety of the hospital’s staff was “paramount”.

Last year, Ms Bates told the Bulletin “hard-working nurses, doctors and health staff don’t deserve to be treated like punching bags when they go to work”.

“As a nurse, I understand our hospitals shouldn’t be like war zones. They are places to treat the sick and injured,” she said.

Ms Bates’ latest push comes after the nurse, aged 49, was held up in the hospital’s car park by a man armed with an 8cm knife about 8.45pm on Friday.

Her Subaru was stolen from the car park on Hospital Blvd and driven through a boom gate, before it disappeared in the direction of Olsen Ave.

The nurse, who was arriving for a shift, was not physically harmed.

Gold Coast Police arrested a 32-year-old Pacific Pines man yesterday morning, said a Queensland Police spokeswoman.

He was charged with one count each of armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of wilful damage.

He was due to face Southport Magistrates Court today.

Police will undertake a forensic examination of the Subaru as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Health said on Saturday that security at the hospital had been ramped up.

“While security within the car park is the responsibility of Secure Carparks, we have increased security patrols around the hospital to enhance the safety of our staff, patients and visitors,” they said.

Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.