MIDLAND Child Development Centre and the Midland cancer centre were targeted by air-conditioner thieves in the middle of August and investigations remain ongoing.

A police media spokesperson said the case was still under investigation and confirmed the disruptions were due to vandalism.

“Midland Police are investigating two stealing incidents that occurred in Midland between August 9 and 15,” they said.

“Unknown offender(s) stole an air conditioning unit from a child (development) centre on Sayer Street and have attempted to steal a second air conditioning unit from a building on Railway Parade.

“During the incident the offender(s) cut several wires, causing damage to the surrounding infrastructure, and inquiries are ongoing with Midland Police.”

A Child and Adolescent Health Service spokesperson said they could confirm they were targeted during the incident, but services weren’t affected.

“The Child and Adolescent Health Service confirms the theft of an air conditioning unit at the Midland Child Development Service on Sayer Street,” they said.

“Services were not impacted.”

The Midland cancer centre unfortunately could not say the same.

Midland Icon Cancer Centre had to close on Monday, August 12 after they were affected by the cut cabling due to the incident.

The Midland branch of Icon notified its Facebook audience about the disruptions to the centre’s operations the day after the centre began its temporary closure.

Patients were advised they had to seek treatment at the Rockingham centre during the power outage.

The reaction from the community was strong with commentors upset about the impact on their treatments.

“I cannot believe this — the impact on all the patients who have missed or have treatment delayed,” one commentor said.

“Why has there been no back up plan?

“Now I have to take another unpaid leave day to travel over three hours to Rockingham to take my husband to his chemo.

“This is life and death for many.”

Midland cancer patients are travelling far from home to receive treatment and Icon Cancer Centre is seeking public support to bring affordable care closer to home, as reported in Call to action for Midland cancer treatment.

Icon Cancer Centre state manager Colin La Galia confirmed they were impacted by the damages during the incident and said he was glad the centre was operational once again.

Icon Cancer Centre Midland was temporarily closed from August 12 to 19 due to a power outage,” he said.

“The sudden outage, which impacted the main power source and backup generators of all businesses within the health precinct, was due to an incident unrelated to and not caused by Icon.

“The incident is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities.

“We recognise the impact this disruption had on our patients and their families, who rely on us for their care during a very difficult time of their lives.

“While our centre was closed during this time, the team worked closely with patients and their doctors to ensure they were able to receive treatment and maintain continuity of care at another Icon centre.

“I want to thank our patients for working with us during this unexpected closure; we were delighted to welcome them back to the centre last Tuesday.”