AN urgent warning has been issued after medical equipment which could be lethal in the wrong hands was stolen from an ambulance.The portable defibrillator was taken from an ambulance as it attended an emergency call in Lowestoft on bank holiday Monday .

AN urgent warning has been issued after medical equipment which could be lethal in the wrong hands was stolen from an ambulance.

The portable defibrillator was taken from an ambulance as it attended an emergency call in Lowestoft on bank holiday Monday .

Ambulance service staff say they are worried whoever stole it may not realise than the device, used to treat heart attack victims, could kill if used on a healthy person as part of a game.

Chief locality officer Rob Lawrence said: “Unlike the automated defibrillators kept in public places, or those used by first responder schemes, this device can deliver a shock at the press of a button.

“So if, for an example, the person who has it has decided to act out a cardiac arrest scene, attaching the pads and pressing the wrong button, a considerable shock could be delivered to a healthy beating heart which would send it into arrhythmia, followed by arrest.

“Quite simply in the wrong hands this machine could kill instead of save and whoever stole it is literally putting their life at risk.

“In addition, our National Health Service will have to bear the £3,500 cost of replacing it.”

The defibrillator was taken from the vehicle as it was parked at the Esplanade, between 1pm and 2pm.

If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of this equipment or the people who stole it they should phone Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Anyone who finds the equipment is asked to hand it in at the nearest Police or Ambulance station.