UPDATED: ‘Words fail us’ – that’s the message from the owners of Shoreside Café in East Cowes following the apparent theft of their community defibrillator.
The life-saving device, which is normally situated on the external wall of the cafe on East Cowes esplanade, has disappeared over the weekend.
It comes just a week after the theft of another defibrillator on the other side of the River Medina in Cowes, as previously reported by Island Echo.
The 2 thefts have prompted an outcry of anger from Island residents who have branded the acts as disgusting.
Anyone with any information should contact Police on 101.
UPDATE @ 16:44 – It has been confirmed that the defibrillator has been taken from the cafe as opposed to being deployed for the purposes of life-saving.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Training and Community Responses Services team say they have notified East Cowes Town Council about the defib’s disappearance, as they are responsible for it.
In a statement issued today, a spokesperson for ATCoRS has said:
“Taking into account that we deploy between 145-172 Public Access Defibrillators each month on the Isle of Wight, in aid to help save lives in our community, please can you help us?
“If you see anyone suspicious trying to access a defibrillator or know of the whereabouts of the, now two, missing defibrillators, please phone the Police.
“Defibrillator Guardians – please keep checking your devices as often as possible to ensure they are ready to rescue.
“To the mindless members of the Public that are taking our Island Community’s defibrillators… Have you actually stopped to think it could be you or your loved ones that could need the device in that area one day?
“If London, Bristol, Birmingham and other large cities can have Public Access Defibrillators out there then why on earth can’t we, as an Island have these life saving devices ready to use?”
