VANDALS who damaged a defibrillator have been warned their mindless actions could have put lives at risk.
Pads from the life-saving equipment at a County Durham community resource centre were ripped off after the building was targeted on Saturday evening.
The award-winning Pact House in Stanley offers a range of services for vulnerable people in the community, including advice, support, and a food bank.
But volunteers were devastated to find broken windows and damage to the medical equipment on Front Street that was installed to help people in cardiac arrest.
One of the founders, Dave Clarke, said: “I am obviously disappointed in the mindless damage to this piece of equipment as it is used regularly by members of the public, directed by the ambulance service, to provide early intervention in medical emergencies.
“This could have a substantial impact on the patient’s likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest, which could easily have been a family member of one of those who caused the damage.”
Read more: Anger over plans to house sex offenders metres from a school and scout hut
Mr Clarke, who helped start Pact House when he was a police sergeant in Stanley, now works as a neighbourhood inspector in Durham City.
He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of support and financial donations from local people and businesses to replace the damaged parts and windows.
“In fact, we now have a head start on a fundraiser for a further unit to be placed elsewhere in the town centre.”
It is understood a group of young people are behind the damage to the defibrillator and police are looking at CCTV footage.
Earlier this month, in Durham City, the first cohort of teenagers to be given first aid skills, and taught how to use defibrillators in an emergency, completed their course.
Mr Clarke, who helped set up a youth club for teenagers at the facility, said: “We are looking at how we can replicate projects from other parts of the county, to educate people in the purpose and value of these pieces of equipment, so that they will treat them with respect, rather than targeting them.”
Posting on social media, a spokesperson for Pact said the vandalism was ‘really disappointing’.
The statement said: “The windows can be replaced, but unfortunately the public access defibrillator has been damaged, the pads ripped out and stuck on a building nearby.
“The defib is used regularly, usually at the direction of the ambulance service, but is now out of action until the unit can be repaired and the pads replaced.
“We would appreciate it if those responsible will contact us directly so we can see if we can work together to resolve this informally within the community.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting reference number DHM-24042022-0100.
---
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel