A LIFEBOATMAN has hit out at thieves who put lives at risk by stealing equipment from Hartlepool lifeboat.

The 50ft boat was burgled between Sunday evening and yesterday morning, leaving it without vital equipment, worth £3,000, to make it seaworthy.

Thieves broke down a watertight door and stole night vision binoculars, an underwater camera, an axe and a knife.

The lifeboat was out of use yesterday morning while the watertight door was replaced.

Mike Craddy, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station manager, said: "These people were morons who don't give a thought about anyone else. I can't believe anyone would be so stupid as to break into and damage a life-saving resource.

"We are funded entirely by people putting pennies in our boxes in shops, and through volunteers. We will have to replace the stolen equipment, and install extra security, such as CCTV, security gates and an alarm, at great cost.

"Teesmouth and Sunderland lifeboat stations covered for us today, but I dread to think what would have happened if there had been incidents in their areas as well."

A police spokesman said: "This is an appalling act of vandalism, which has threatened the lives and safety of people out at sea."

Anyone with information should call police on (01642) 302126.

"These thieves put lives at risk."