Life-saving equipment stolen from fire engines

Life-saving equipment used to rescue people from serious road traffic collisions has been stolen from two fire stations.

Thieves targeted a locked fire engine at the Harrold station on Tuesday night, before emptying two fire engines of their hydraulic spreading and cutting tools in Bedford on Thursday night.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the stolen equipment was estimated to be worth almost £40,000 and extra security measures had been put in place.

"These thefts are not just attacks on our fire stations – they are attacks on the safety of every person in Bedfordshire," said area commander Wayne Swales.

"The equipment stolen is what our crews rely on to save lives at the scene of serious road traffic collisions and other incidents.

"To have it taken and potentially used for criminal activity is deeply concerning."

The fire service says it is working with Bedfordshire Police to identify and arrest those responsible.

Swales said the service enhanced its security measures after being made aware of a national trend of fire stations being broken into and equipment stolen.

Despite the thefts, emergency cover remains in place.

The service said equipment was being shared across the county to ensure crews could still respond to 999 calls.

People with information about the missing equipment have been urged to contact the police on 101 immediately.

Anyone who notices suspicious activity near fire stations is also urged to report it.

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