Charity appeals for return of stolen life-saving defibrillator
A CHARITY is appealing for the return of lifesaving equipment after a defibrillator was stolen.
A police investigation has been launched into the theft from a public access box on Church Road, Tarleton.
The equipment, used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest, cost £850 and was taken sometime in July.
Unless it is returned, the Douglas Cardiac Trust which provides the defibrillators faces having to fund a replacement. It had been installed in 2019 and is one of around 35 installed in schools, businesses and public spaces across Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and Banks by the charity.
Bernard Sparkes, secretary of the trust, said: “The loss of this piece of vital life saving equipment could have very serious consequences to any person in that locality in Tarleton who may suffer a cardiac condition and be in need of a defibrillator.
“The Douglas Cardiac Trust has been fundraising for many years to provide these potentially life saving pieces of equipment and placing them in accessible locations in Tarleton, Hesketh Banks and Banks.”
He added: “We can speculate as much as we like because it’s no good to anyone. Alright, the battery costs about £200 but it’s totally useless on anything else.
“Maybe it’s a prank gone wrong and someone is afraid to bring it back but that’s what we’re hoping will happen.”
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “It was reported to us at 11.22am on August 7 that a defibrillator had been stolen from Church Road, Tarleton, sometime between July 6 and July 30. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log 0579 of August 7.”
If anyone knows of the whereabouts of the G5 Defibrillator, they are asked to contact the police or call Bernard on 01772 812936.