EAST OF ENGLAND: Ambulance staff have blasted thieves who broke into Brentwood station while crews were out treating patients.

One member of staff had his car stolen and it is believed other belongings including mobile phones were taken too during the incident on Tuesday.

The thieves broke into the station between 4.15pm and 6.15pm. They forced a window open to gain entry and rifled through personal lockers.

The car, a red Vauxhall Astra SI 51-reg was then stolen. When the evening crew arrived at 6.15pm to start work, they found opened lockers, and realised what had happened.

Ambulance duty operations manager Ricky Walker said: “There is a sad irony here that while we’re out helping those in medical need, someone comes and steals from us, and in quite a big way too.

“It’s an upsetting situation.

“We’re working with the police in the subsequent investigation and of course urge anyone with information to contact them and help catch whoever did this.”

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “This is a despicable act to carry out and especially whilst our crews are out saving lives in the community.

“Words cannot describe how the crews feel about the thefts and we will do everything we can to bring the perpetrators to the courts.”