Life-saving equipment stolen and vandalised in Easebourne

Life-saving medical equipment has been vandalised and stolen in a 'detestable' crime in Easebourne this week.
By Joe Stack
Published 23rd Nov 2020, 13:14 BST
Updated 23rd Nov 2020, 14:14 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

On Friday night (November 20) a public access defibrillator was removed from a telephone box in Dodsley Lane.

An Easebourne resident came across the muddy defibrillator on High Path on Saturday morning but the carrying case, scissors, spare pads and a high-vis vest have all yet to be located.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor Ian Milne, who reported the incident the the police yesterday morning, said: "This crime is detestable as this key piece of potentially life-saving medical equipment is stored in the heart of the community, in an open and accessible location for all.

Easebourne parish councillors David Pack and Jose Galego with the 24 hour defibrillator pack. Picture taken in 2014 14LASEP21-2Easebourne parish councillors David Pack and Jose Galego with the 24 hour defibrillator pack. Picture taken in 2014 14LASEP21-2
Easebourne parish councillors David Pack and Jose Galego with the 24 hour defibrillator pack. Picture taken in 2014 14LASEP21-2

"The Parish Council are loath to relocate the defibrillator into a locked container as this may delay a member of our community speedily extracting the defibrillator and saving a life.

Ian opposed the keeping the equipment locked away, as has been done with other public access defibrillators.

He said: "I am exceedingly unhappy about doing that. All the defibrillators in London boroughs are locked away behind a code but can you imagine trying to get the defib out and calling the ambulance service to get the code? A delay of a minute or two could mean a death."

Sussex Police is said to be investigating.