‘Disgraceful’ vandals put South Central Ambulance Service car out of action after smashing mirror

South Central Ambulance Service reported that a group of yobs attacked a large number of cars in Bransgore on Sunday morning, including a first responder ambulance car used by the Bransgore Community First Responders.

The mirror was smashed which means the vehicle has been taken out of service and cannot be used to attend 999 calls in the area.

The car was parked near Burnt House Lane while the on-call volunteer was inside his house, and discovered the damage at about 7.30am.

He was later told that other cars had been damaged and a group of suspects had been chased away by a neighbour earlier that morning.

Mike Jukes, co-ordinator of the Bransgore scheme branded the vandalism ’disgraceful’.

He said: ‘As a result of this mindless action our volunteers are less likely to be able to provide that critical response in the first few minutes of a medical emergency or cardiac arrest.

‘This really could cost lives in our community until we can get the car back on the road. Local communities donate money which enables South Central Ambulance Charity to provide the cars. To have someone do this is so disrespectful to those who care.’

The team are asking anyone whose car was damaged to report to Hampshire Constabulary so officers can see how many cars were damaged and the costs involved.

Jack Ansell, operations manager for South Central Ambulance Service in Hampshire, said: ‘The car is covered in high visibility markings, the vandals took all that into consideration and continued to cause damage.

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‘Damaging a vehicle which our local responders use in volunteer capacity and continue to raise funds to support, is disgusting.

‘The team are now without a vehicle, which is only three months old, and this could significantly reduce the chances of them being available to the local community to attend a life-threatening call.

‘The costs of repair or insurance excess will now have to be borne by the SCAS Charity and so this money cannot now be used for other lifesaving equipment.’

Anyone with information or CCTV footage which may help to identify those responsible should contact Hampshire police on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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