An off-duty paramedic who raced to offer help during a life-threatening medical emergency in Banbury had his car radio stolen.

Thieves tried to steal the emergency blue light from the roof of Steve Young's car as he was treating a woman suffering chest pains at a home on the Ruscott estate in Banbury.

Mr Young, 47, who lives on the town's Hardwick estate, was alerted by control room staff after an ambulance was called at 9.15pm on December 7.

He is part of a first attenders scheme, in which paramedics volunteer to turn up at life-threatening incidents even when they are off-duty.

Mr Young is one of only nine paramedics in the county who have volunteered to be part of the scheme, which was introduced earlier this year.

After hearing the call, he drove from his home and was at the scene within minutes.

He then began giving life-saving first-aid.

But when the ambulance crew arrived minutes later, his colleagues saw three youths running away from Mr Young's car, which was parked outside the woman's home.

Thieves had broken into the car and stolen the radio, worth £120.

They had also tried to steal the flashing blue emergency light, worth about £150, from the roof of the car.

Mr Young said: "They tried to take the light, but didn't quite make it."

He added: "I've been a paramedic in Oxfordshire for 21 years.

"Nothing like this has happened before. I feel pretty angry about the whole thing.

"I'd be grateful if anyone who saw anything contacted the police."

Mr Young said the theft would not deter him from remaining on the first attenders scheme.

Steve Haynes, deputy director of Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, said: "It's fairly sad in this day and age that this happens.

"The paramedic was trying to do his job. We could really do without this sort of thing happening to our most dedicated staff.

"Staff who sign up to this scheme are under no obligation. They choose to come out and help save lives.

"The scheme is very successful at getting emergency help swiftly to people when a life is in danger.

"Unfortunately this kind of thing does happen to ambulance staff in Oxfordshire from time to time.

"We have had goods stolen from ambulances.

"I think people think they can get drugs from inside the ambulance, but that's not the case.

"I suppose there might be a re-sale value for some of the equipment.

"But I'm not sure who you could sell ambulance equipment to."

Anyone with information should call Thames Valley Police on 01865 266000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.