Middlemore Hospital. Photo: LDR / Stephen Forbes
Car thieves are brazenly driving through the carpark barrier arms at Middlemore Hospital, despite new security measures.
Te Whatu Ora said 18 cars have been broken into or stolen from the carpark since the start of the year.
A spokesperson for Middlemore Hospital said the barrier arms have been driven through five times so far this year.
But they said that because the arms are flexible there has been minimal damage.
The hospital has 13 security guards patrolling the carpark at all times, and more at times when the hospital has been identified as high-risk for car thefts.
The hospital has also improved lighting and fencing to deter thieves.