Stereos, a CD player, iPods, clothing and sunglasses have been taken from cars parked in the overflow car park at the hospital over the past month.

A member of staff, who was targeted by the thieves, said security should be stepped up as she sometimes felt frightened walking to the car park in the dark.

She said: "Something has got to be done as this is ludicrous.

"Everyone is sick to the back teeth of staff parking rates, lack of spaces and crime."

The woman claimed police had asked car park managers VINCI Park to increase patrols around the car park or install CCTV.

Despite parking charges rising at the site since VINCI Park took over in April 2006, the woman said motorists were not getting value for money.

"VINCI has been doing nothing, absolutely nothing," she said.

"You never see anyone walking around, but they soon come round to put a ticket on your car if you don't pay."

A spokeswoman for VINCI Park claimed the firm liaised with police and maintained a high presence through patrols of the site.

She said: "VINCI Park is well aware of the burglaries that took place at West Suffolk Hospital car park last month and has responded rapidly.

"Each time a car park is patrolled, our car park attendants take a test ticket from the pay and display machine, which provides proof of the time and date of patrols. Patrol routes are varied to deter potential offenders."

A spokeswoman for West Suffolk Hospital said staff could ask for a portering escort if they felt vulnerable about going to their vehicles when it was dark.

She said: "Thefts from cars parked at West Suffolk Hospital are, fortunately, rare and we take each and every incident that is reported very seriously.

"We urge all staff, visitors and patients who park on the site to take common sense precautions, such as locking their vehicles and not leaving valuables inside."