Support for cricket club after defibrillator theft

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is offering support to a sports club after its community public access defibrillator (CPAD) was stolen.

The life-saving piece of kit was taken from Sandal Cricket Club in Wakefield at around 9.15pm on Friday 15 June. CCTV footage shows the CPAD being removed from its cabinet by two children.

Despite appeals on social media, the equipment has not been returned.

Neil Marsay, Community Defibrillation Officer and CPAD Co-ordinator at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: "In the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest, we would always encourage bystanders to start life-saving CPR and use a defibrillator, when available, before our crews arrive on scene. From past experience, we know that early defibrillation helps to save more lives from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year.

"The defibrillators belong to communities and are funded through their hard work and goodwill. Having them installed means that residents and visitors can feel more reassured.

"It is, therefore, very disappointing that Sandal Cricket Club's defibrillator has been stolen. We are working with club officials and equipment suppliers to make this important community resource available once again for life-threatening emergencies. Until a new CPAD is secured, we have agreed to lend one of our defibrillators to the club."

Anyone with information about the defibrillator theft is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 13180291800.