South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb)
is appealing to anyone with information to come forward following a
spate of thefts across Kent in which life-saving equipment was
stolen.

The most recent incidents took place yesterday and today (13-14
June) at Sheppey and Herne Bay ambulance stations.

At Herne Bay, a number of vehicles had their windows smashed and
two Community First Responder bags, training equipment and a
defibrillator were stolen at some point overnight after 4pm on 13
June.

At Sheppey, at around 10pm on 13 June, window bars were forced
and life-saving equipment was once again stolen from locked
vehicles after their windows were smashed. Three vehicles have been
left unusable while they are repaired.

Elsewhere at Ashford Make Ready Centre on 11 June, at
approximaltely 11pm, a hole was cut through a metal fence to gain
entry to the car park. Equipment was taken from an ambulance but
left behind when the thieves were chased off the premises.

Other recent incidents include two ambulances being vandalised
in the early hours of 31 March 2017 at Thanet Make Ready Centre
leaving them inoperable while they were repaired. And on May 24 a
support vehicle was stolen and later found abandoned by police with
unrepairable damage.

SECAmb Regional Operations Manager Chris Stamp said: “We are
working closely with Kent Police on these incidents and would urge
anyone with any information whatsoever to come forward. Those
responsible need to know the seriousness of their actions which
undoubtedly have put lives at risk. They have targeted vital pieces
of life-saving equipment which has no sell on value. By damaging
vehicles, they have also placed even greater pressure on our
resources which are already stretched in responding to high levels
of demand.”

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01843
222289 quoting reference number ZY/24921/17.

Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800
555111.