Life-saving equipment stolen in fire station burglary

Life-saving equipment, which is critical to the Northern Ireland Fire Rescue Service's (NIFRS) response to road traffic crashes, has been stolen during a burglary at a fire station, the police have said.

The break-in happened at Crumlin Fire Station on the Mill Road, County Antrim, sometime overnight on Tuesday, the NIFRS said.

Northern area commander with the NIFRS, Ryan Thompson, said the equipment is used to help casualties involved in serious road traffic collisions that need released from vehicles urgently.

The senior firefighter appealed for the items to be returned to the fire station immediately.

"The theft of this vital equipment does not only prevent our firefighters from saving lives it also causes great concern in the local community," Mr Thompson said.

"I would like to reassure the local community that NIFRS immediately put contingency arrangements in place to ensure that our operational response capability to the Crumlin area was maintained whilst the stolen items are replaced and to allow the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to conduct their investigation.

The PSNI said a large quantity of "vital equipment" had been taken during the break-in and the investigation is currently ongoing .

"It's very disappointing that local firefighters, who work tirelessly for their community, would be targeted in this way," Sgt Davidson said.

The PSNI have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.