South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb)
is appealing to anyone with information to come forward following a
spate of incidents across its region in which life-saving equipment
has been stolen.
The most recent incident, in what appears to be a targeted
campaign, took place at Hastings Make Ready Centre overnight on
Saturday 24 June with premises in Surrey also targeted last
week.
Premises and vehicles were previously targeted in Kent in
Ashford, Sheppey, Herne Bay and Thanet – further details here:
http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/about_us/news/2017/ambulance_thefts.aspx
The Surrey thefts took place at Trust locations in Dorking,
Banstead and Tongham overnight from Wednesday 21 June.
On each occasion vital life-saving equipment including Lifepaks
– manually operated defibrillators and diagnostic machines – has
been targeted.
While every effort has been made to repair and re-stock vehicles
as soon as possible, the incidents have an obvious impact on our
ability to respond to patients.
SECAmb Associate Director of Operations Sue Skelton said: “The
theft of this equipment puts lives at risk and each incident places
even greater pressure on our already stretched resources. We are
working closely police on these incidents and would urge anyone
with any information whatsoever to come forward. It appears that
these incidents are part of a targeted campaign against our
vehicles and premises.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101.
Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800
555111.