Life-saving equipment stolen and vandalised in Easebourne
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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.
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Hide AdCouncillor 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.
"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.