The unit was positioned outside a Doncaster shopping centre

Patients were unable to undergo cancer scans after heartless thieves stole cables powering a mobile scanning unit from outside a Doncaster shopping centre.

Raiders struck at the Alliance Medical site near to the city’s Lakeside Village shopping outlet last week.

The mobile unit, which was parked at the rear of the B&M store, allows people to undergo scans away from hospital.

One patient, who asked not to be identified, said: “I went for a CT scan for lung cancer only to be told the scan would not take place because the power cable supplying the container housing the scanner had been stolen.

“It makes you wonder how low people can get to steal such an important item.

“This is putting lung cancer patients at risk of delays in thier treatment.

“I am not blaming the medical staff at all - I am blaming the low lives who stole it.”

A spokesperson for Lakeside Village, said: “We are aware of the incident and are liaising with the programme team.

“It is extremely disappointing that vital medical equipment which benefits the Doncaster community has been targeted in this way.”

Alliance Medical has a fleet of mobile vans it uses to carry out the scans.

A statement on its website reads: “We are exceptionally proud of our service.‍

“Across mobile MRI, CT and PET-CT we have proven to reduce waiting lists and maximise patient throughput; whilst keeping patient experience at the forefront of all we do.‍

“Our bespoke imaging solution is tailored to your exacting requirements and deployed rapidly across the country, whenever you need us.”

We have contacted Alliance Medical for more information, along with South Yorkshire Police