'woman in nurse's outfit injects resident with substance' as cops launch probe

Police in County Durham are investigating after a "blonde woman in a nurse's outfit" allegedly injected a woman. The incident happened at Winford House - a housing complex

operated by Thirteen, off The Causeway, in Billingham, and has sparked a police probe. Cleveland Police has described the matter as a "suspicious incident", while Thirteen bosses

say they are "deeply concerned". The daughter of the resident said that she believes the incident involved a "blonde-haired woman dressed in a nurse’s outfit". She said

she thinks they entered the resident's apartent in the morning of February 25 after gaining access to the building - which can only be gained by ringing a tenant or by using an access

code or key fob - and saying she was there to administer her mum's insulin. The resident is said to have questioned the woman stating: “You’re new,” her daughter reported. The nurse is

said to have insisted she was "covering the area" and had to administer a "separate injection". This, the daughter said, was becuase the woman said she had been given

"information from above". The resident is said to have allowed the treatment to go ahead due to the visitor wearing a “nurses uniform”, Teesside Live reported. She “thought nothing

of it” until her usual diabetic nurse turned up later the same morning, her daughter said. The resident told the bonafide professional that a nurse had already been to give her her insulin

- but records did not show any other nurse had been tasked with the job, the resident’s daughter claims. Now the daughter, hoping the incident is merely a mix-up with a rota has express her

deep concern over the alleged incident and wants to know who the woman is. Her mother's tests have come back and appear normal. The family and the police are appealing for information.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended Winford House in Billingham following reports of a suspicious incident which occurred on Tuesday, February 25. Enquiries are

currently ongoing and we’re working closely with partners as we continue our investigation.” Thirteen’s executive director of customer services David Ripley said: “The safety and wellbeing

of our customers is our priority. We’re deeply concerned about this incident and we’re providing full support to those involved, while we work closely with the police to carry out a thorough

investigation. “We also want to reassure all of our customers that we have security measures in place, and we continuously review and strengthen them. We’re reminding everyone to always

remain vigilant and to report anything unusual to our colleagues. Our team are here to help, and we encourage customers and their families to speak to us if they have any concerns.” Anyone

with information is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 033849. Information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by

calling 0800 555 111.