A THIEF who broke into an ambulance response car while paramedics were attending to a 59-year-old man has been warned they put lives at risk.

Police said the thief smashed the window of the rapid response vehicle while it was parked in Nelson and stole a bone drill, uniform and bag.

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The incident happened between 5.15pm and 6.20pm on Sunday when the vehicle was parked at the junction of Percy Street and Chapel House Road.

A police spokesman confirmed that nobody had been arrested. No suspect descriptions have been released.

Nobody from the ambulance service could confirm whether the paramedics were dealing with an emergency call.

Peter Mulcahy, the ambulance service’s head of service for Cumbria and Lancashire, said although the items taken were not of great monetary value it meant the vehicle was put out of action and that could have cost lives.

Mr Mulcahy said: “The window of one of our rapid response vehicles was smashed and uniform and medical kit stolen, while the paramedic was treating a gravely ill patient.

“The items they took are of little value, there were no drugs stolen, but this incident will have a major impact on the local area as the vehicle will now be off the road while it is repaired and the equipment replaced.

“I would like to ask whoever stole these items, what if you need this vehicle tonight? What if a member of your family needs this vehicle? These items are useless to you, but you are now preventing people in your community from getting help in a serious emergency and it may just be someone you care about.

“We are appalled at this incident and are asking people to contact Lancashire Police on 101, if they have any information.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called at around 8.30pm on August 17 to reports that someone had smashed the window of a rapid response vehicle and taken various equipment. Items taken included a bag, bone drill, green fleece and a hard hat.

“The incident happened between 5.15pm and 6.20pm at the junction of Percy Street and Chapel House Road. I can confirm that no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log 1210 of August 21.