Damage caused by vandals has left a vital piece of medical equipment out of action at a popular beauty spot.
An attempt to break the lock of the cabinet housing the defibrillator at Needham Lake means the kit – used to restart a person’s heart after cardiac arrest – cannot be used.
It is understood the equipment was attacked during vandalism of the toilet block at the lake, in which lights were smashed, a door damaged and a store room cupboard broken open. Some items were thrown in the lake.
The incident is understood to have taken place around 1am today.
Runners who regularly take part in the Great Run Local at the lake raised money to buy the defibrillator and were helped by two local businessmen who gave donations to enable the kit to be bought along with the protective cabinet.
Bob Reason, who runs the running event, said the damage to the cabinet’s lock meant the defibrillator was currently stuck inside and could not be used in an emergency.
He said: “The defibrillator itself hasn’t been damaged because they could not get the cabinet open but now we cannot get to it if we should need it.
“If you suffer a heart attack then you need a defibrillator in about 10 minutes – every minute matters and could cost someone their life.”
Police are investigating the damage.
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