THIEVES have put lives at risk after stealing a piece of medical equipment from a North-East train station.
The £1,500 defibrillator, which can restore a heartbeat in the event of a heart attack, was taken from the platform of Darlington station between midnight and 6am yesterday.
British Transport Police are baffled by the theft because the machine can only be used to save lives.
PC Malcolm Godfrey said: "It is of no use to a thief and it can't be used in a dangerous way. It's got a monitor which will only activate if it doesn't detect a heartbeat.
"My concern is that someone might realise that it is of no use and dump it."
The defibrillator has been at the station since September but has yet to be used. It is slightly bigger than a lunchbox and is in an orange case.
Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police, on freephone 0800 405040.
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