Patients lives were put at risk after vandals smashed the windscreen of an ambulance, it was claimed today.

IPSWICH: Patients lives were put at risk after vandals smashed the windscreen of an ambulance, it was claimed today.

Police are currently investigating the incident, which happened between 1.40am and 3am on Sunday, October 11, in Wilberforce Street, Ipswich.

A crew from the East of England Ambulance Service were tending to a 65-year-old man suffering from breathing problems in his home when the vandalism was caused to the green and yellow Mercedes Sprinter.

Fortunately the man did not need to be taken to hospital but the crew were out of action temporarily until they transferred to another vehicle. It was fixed by noon the following day.

Belinda Jackson, duty operational manager for the East of England Ambulance Service in Ipswich, said: “It defies belief that anyone would deliberately damage an ambulance attending an emergency call.

“This is a despicable act which could have threatened the life of an innocent patient. Fortunately the patient did not need to be taken to hospital but if the call had been more serious his life would have been at risk.

“The vehicle was repaired by noon the following day but the crews were out of action for a short period of time while they swapped to another ambulance.

“The service considers any kind of damage to a vehicle that needs to reach and transport vulnerable patients quickly, including those in a time-critical condition where every moment counts, utterly unacceptable and is now working with police to investigate the incident.”

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries should call Pc Claire Yates on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Have you been a victim of crime and want to tell us the effects? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.