Thieves who stole a defibrillator and other essential equipment from an ambulance in Derry earlier this weekl have been called on to return the items.
The lifesaving equipment was taken from a privately-operated ambulance sometime between Monday and Tuesday evenings while it was parked in the grounds of Altnagelvin Hospital.
A Garmin sat nav and two Nokia Windows work phones were also stolen.
The ambulance had been parked in the grounds of hospital on Monday evening and when the operator returned at about 7.30pm the following evening, damage to the driver’s window was noted.
Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, said the theft of an essential piece of lifesaving medical equipment “must be condemned.”
Pointing out the defibrillator was “virtually useless” to those outside of the medical profession, she said theft was “clearly theft for theft’s sake.”
The Sinn Fein representative added: “I want to take this opportunity to call for the safe return of the defibrillator machine which is an essential piece of life-saving equipment.”
Meanwhile, the police are keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the grounds of the hospital, or from anyone with knowledge of the present whereabouts of the equipment, or attempts to sell it.
Police can be contacted on the on the 101 non-emergency number.
Alternatively, information can be given to the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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