Operational team leader Ron Smiles outside Abingdon ambulance station where a workman replaces the broken windows Lives were put at risk when thieves stole vital equipment from an ambulance station preventing a paramedic crew from carrying out 999 calls.

Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust staff have warned that more people could be endangered if the culprits dump needles taken during their 'pointless act of vandalism' at the Abingdon base.

The thieves broke into the station in Longmead through a window sometime between 9pm on Wednesday and 4am yesterday, before the night crew had finished their shift.

They took high visibility jackets and a bag of medical equipment, including stethoscopes, an intubation tube -- used to help an unconscious patient breath -- and pads and leads for a defibrillator, which starts the heart after it has stopped.

Paramedics cannot attend a road accident without fluorescent coats, and would be unable to treat a seriously ill patient without some of the missing equipment.

The theft meant the morning crew were powerless to work until they received replacements.

David Williams, the trust's assistant director, criticised the thieves and appealed for them to return the stolen items.

He said: "Quite apart from the financial implications of having to replace the stolen items, it could have led to a delay in treating a patient, therefore possibly risking lives.

"This is not acceptable. It was a stupid and pointless act of vandalism."

Although no drugs were taken, a sharps bin containing needles was stolen.

Trust operational manager Paul Derwin said: "If this is found dumped anywhere it is vital that it is reported to either us or the police immediately, so it can be disposed of properly.

"We're not sure what these people were after, because they didn't seem to attempt to take anything like the television or computer used by staff while they are relaxing.

"My feeling is that they may have assumed there were drugs in the kit bags, which there were not, because they are only kept in highly secure places."

Mr Derwin explained that the thieves had vandalised the station door, so when the night crew returned they just thought the locking mechanism was broken.

It was only when paramedics on the next shift discovered their kits bags were missing that they realised there had been a burglary.

No-one from Thames Valley Police was willing to comment.

Anyone with information can contact Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust on 01865 740100 or the police on 08458 505505.