Thieves have been condemned for stealing stone flags from the garden patio of a hospice.

Manorlands, the Sue Ryder hospice in Oxenhope, was targeted by a gang who struck after dark and took 11 large square stone slabs.

The crime has so angered Conservatives on Bradford Council that they are calling for stone merchants to come forward if they are offered flagstones possibly stolen from the patio area.

Group leader Councillor Glen Miller said: “I am utterly appalled. These people should hang their heads in shame, but I suspect that they will not care – as long as they do not get caught.

“The sooner we have tight regulations in place to ensure that all stone sales involve payment by means other than cash, the better.

“We do not want criminal gangs making a living from this type of despicable crime.”

The Conservatives tabled a motion at the last meeting of Bradford Council asking that the Crime Prevention Minister be contacted with a view to considering the introduction of regulations similar to those recently introduced to regulate the sale of scrap metal, to regulate the sale of stone flags and other types of valuable stone.

Coun Miller said the thieves must have known of the caring work done at Manorlands.

“This is a despicable crime and I urge stone merchants in the area to report any flagstone transactions which could possibly relate to this crime.

“I am hopeful that any reputable stone merchant would not wish to profit from, or be associated with, such a theft,” he said.

Manorlands’ palliative care services manager Lizzie Procter said: “This is an incident which has caused distress to staff and those they are caring for.

“Of course the hospice totally supports the police in trying to solve this crime,” she said.

PC Martin Brearley, of Worth Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “The whole community believe this is an appalling theft.”

The 11 square stones, each 2ft by 2ft, were taken between November 1 and November 3 and a vehicle was found at the scene indicating the thieves could have been interrupted, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC Brearley by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.