Sat navs stolen from ambulances

AMBULANCE bosses have warned lives could have been put at risk after a heartless thief stole sat navs from two vehicles outside Ipswich Hospital.

Russell Claydon

AMBULANCE bosses have warned lives could have been put at risk after a heartless thief stole sat navs from two vehicles outside Ipswich Hospital.

The loss of the high-tech devices means the ambulances have been put out of action for half a day while they are repaired - stopping them from attending emergencies.

Two sat navs were stolen from ambulance vehicles parked outside the Accident and Emergency entrance to Ipswich hospital yesterday evening.

This makes a total of six stolen devices in Suffolk since April last year.

Paul Henry, associate director of production for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “The theft of any item of equipment from an ambulance vehicle is a cause for concern. In this particular case it hampers the efficiency of our operations in locating and reaching patients quickly and could put lives at risk.

“Two vehicles will also be out of service for half a day whilst they are refitted at one of our busiest times of the year.

“Also, there is the cost of replacement, which will cost the taxpayer around �300. This is the last location we would expect such thefts but it seems that determined thieves will take any unguarded opportunity to steal.”

Anyone who is offered a satellite navigation device, unboxed and with trailing connections should be suspicious and contact their Suffolk police on 01473 613500 with details if they suspect it could be one of the missing devices.