Coastguard hits out as life-saving equipment targeted by vandals

Stonehaven: Community defibrillator had outer casing damaged

A life-saving piece of equipment in Stonehaven has been damaged in what the coastguard has described as “mindless” vandalism.

The outer casing of the community defibrillator in Stonehaven’s Market Square was damaged and police confirmed the incident was reported to them at around 7pm on Saturday.

It was installed in December last year by Stonehaven and District Community Council after it was donated to the town by Baker Hughes along with John Trudgill.

John’s brother Peter tragically died in 2014 after a huge wave swept him into the water at Stonehaven harbour.

Peter, 43, from Westhill, had been walking with his family when the wave hit . A brave police officer and members of the public managed to pull him from the water after 40 minutes.

“We are currently reviewing CCTV in our investigation into the cause of the damage. POLICE SPOKESMAN

He died in hospital hours later. HM Coastguard Angus & Mearns said in a Facebook post: “We are saddened to report that some mindless individual thought it was a great idea to vandalise the community life saving defibrillator.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a call at 6.53pm on Saturday September 30 over reports of damage to a defibrillator located in Market Square, Stonehaven.

“The outside casing has been smashed, however the defibrillator remains in place.

“We are currently reviewing CCTV in our investigation into the cause of the damage.”

A defibrillator can prove vital in the event of an emergency and it is considered essential for each town to have one available 24/7.

The incident comes after a similar piece of community-funded equipment, which can cost upwards of £1,000, was damaged in Kirriemuir’s Reform Street only a week ago.

Community figures blasted the culprits and the machine was temporarily removed from its cabinet and placed in the nearby police station.

Like Stonehaven’s defibrillator, it was only put in place last year after Kirriemuir community council raised enough cash to purchase one.

jkeith@thecourier.co.uk