A Selby surgery has written to all its patients after several post bags were stolen.

The bags were destined for Beech Tree surgery, in Doncaster Road, Selby.

Now the surgery's senior partner, Dr Pat McGrann, has written to all patients advising them that mail which should have been delivered to the practice on Saturday, September 22, has not been received.

Dr McGrann says in the letter: "We are concerned that the missing mail could have contained requests for repeat prescriptions and other communications that may include patient details.

"We are investigating this matter with the police and endeavouring to ensure that any disruption and distress to our patients is kept to a minimum.

"If you have posted anything to Beech Tree surgery in the period between September 16 and September 21 and want to check if we have received it, please call our practice manager, Richard Gregory, on 01757 703933.

"This is particularly important if you have not received a repeat prescription, so that we can rectify the matter."

Dr McGrann urged any patient who was concerned or directly affected by the incident to contact Mr Gregory on extension 221.

Kay Goodwin, of Selby and York Primary Care Trust, said today: "The mail bags had been opened and we know at least one letter was tampered with."

Updated: 15:01 Wednesday, October 03, 2001