Basingstoke news and sport from the Basingstoke Gazette

Thieves target ambulance on casualty duty

From the archive, first published Wednesday 29th Sep 1999.

CALLOUS thieves stole vital equipment from an ambulance while the crew was treating a casualty.

The actions of the group of young people has been condemned by ambulance staff and police.

Staff were treating a casualty away from their ambulance after an emergency call in Gosport when the hooligans struck.

They entered the ambulance and stole a £150 high-powered searchlight, two pairs of rubber gloves, a £150 safety helmet and a stethoscope.

The helmet was later found after it had been flung into bushes.

An ambulance spokeswoman said: "The police are investigating the incident. It appeared the group had been drinking.

"This behaviour is unforgivable. It is appalling that when our crews are going to the aid of people in need of help, people can do this sort of thing.

"This sort of irresponsible action is doubly dangerous. The public are put at risk because an ambulance has to be taken off the road and checked.

"Our crews are also put at risk if vital emergency equipment is missing when it is needed urgently."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

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