A BASINGSTOKE woman has been devastated after her valuables were stolen from a locker while she was working out in a gym in Chineham.
Laura Macdonald, 50, said her wallet, phone and keys were stolen from a locker inside the Fitness First gym on Stag Oak Lane.
She was attending a body balance class from 6pm to 7pm on September 26 when her items were stolen from a safe provided by the gym.
Laura said she was left frustrated and vulnerable as the theft happened at a gym where she has been going for nearly 10 years.
“More than the loss of items, it is the whole situation and how it was dealt with that is frustrating,” Laura said.
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“I know there is a Fitness First policy that they are not responsible for loss and that is fine. But then they have to guarantee that they will have some measurements in place that will prevent unauthorised access.
“All gym members have personal physical locks with a four-digit code. When I returned after the class, my safe was left open and all the items were stolen."
Among the lost items were her gym bag, car and house keys, her phone and an expensive wallet with a number of bank and ID cards.
Laura said she immediately blocked her cards because they were used by the thieves, and got a new lock and key for her house.
“I bought a wheel lock because these people still have my car keys. I have to lock my car with the wheel lock now every night now.
“My gym bag was found in another different place, which was very unusual. But all the items were gone. I'm just in the process of getting all the cards back, go to the bank and reporting to the police. But the police probably won’t get involved anyway because they get this all the time. So, it's not much you can do.”
The Gazette contacted Fitness First for a comment, but the firm did not respond.
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The clause 51 of Fitness First’s policy says the company “will not be held liable for the loss/theft of any locker contents”.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “We were called on Monday, September 26, to a report of a theft at the Fitness First gym on Stag Oak Lane in Chineham.
“It was reported that a phone, purse and keys were stolen from a locker. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting 44220392588.”
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