Thefts From Scottish Ambulances Revealed

Criminals stole items from the back of ambulances on 31 occasions over the last three years, it has emerged.

Figures obtained through Freedom of Information by the Scottish Conservatives revealed medical equipment, laptops and response kits were thieved while paramedics tried to go about their jobs.

Other incidents included medicines being taken, as well as paperwork, radios and even vehicle parts.

Some staff also had personal items stolen from ambulances while they worked.

In 2012/13, equipment was stolen from a special operations response division vehicle, while ambulances at the Scottish Ambulance Service academy in Glasgow were also targeted.

In its response to the Scottish Conservatives, ambulance bosses were at pains to point out the mobile phones stolen didn't hold patient information, the laptops were encrypted, and paperwork theft had been reported to the Information Commissioner for Scotland.

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "The idea of thieves targeting ambulances while paramedics attempt to save lives is sickening.

"People will be disgusted that this has occurred so many times across Scotland over the last three years.

"There may well be questions for the ambulance service about security of vehicles, but paramedics can hardly be expected to worry about break-ins while patients' lives are at risk.

"Clearly the contents of ambulances make for appealing rummaging among some crooks.

"But anyone caught thieving from these vehicles is the lowest of the low, and must be treated as such by the law if and when they are caught."