A WOMAN had to go home from a gym wrapped in only a towel after a thief stole her clothes.

Iwona Jackwska, 39, was at the David Lloyd gym at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park, when crooks stole her clothes from the changing rooms.

Mrs Jackwska reported the matter to the gymmanager, but claims she was told staff could not check the CCTV camera for 24 hours, and the gym was not responsible for stolen items.

One of the items stolen was a £300 Ralph Lauren dress which she planned to change into for her evening out on Friday.

Mrs Jackwska speaks little English, but her husband, Jacob, told the Echo: “She had hung up her dress in the changing rooms because she did want it creased and there was not enough room in the lockers.

“She went in to the gym at about 4pm and was working out for about two hours.

“When she got back to the locker room, her clothes were gone.

“She called me. I came and spoke to the manager, but he said they could not check the CCTV until the next day and that the gym was not liable for anything stolen from the changing rooms.

“My wife was so upset she wanted to cancel her membership there and then. She is worried the next time she goes somebody will steal something else.

“We pay £80 per month. It is not somewhere you expect your clothes to be stolen.”

Mrs Jackwska’s clothes were wet from the gym and pool, so she had to travel home in a towel.

A spokesman from David Lloyd said: “We can confirm we are investigating an incident which occurred at David Lloyd Basildon on October 25, whereby a theft from the locker room was reported.

“Our membership terms and conditions clearly state any personal belongings brought into the club are at the owner’s risk.

“However, David Lloyd Leisure takes safety and security at its clubs very seriously and has a comprehensive range of measures in force aimed at preventing and discouraging criminal behaviour on our premises.

“These measures are reviewed regularly and our employees are fully trained in crime prevention to minimise the possibility of a criminal offence taking place.

“This is a rare occurrence.”