Life-saving rescue kit worth £30,000 stolen from Cobham fire station
The stolen tools can be GPS tracked and remotely disabled, the fire service says
Specialist rescue equipment used to free people trapped in crashed vehicles has been stolen from a fire station in Cobham.
Around £30,000 worth of kit was taken from Painshill Fire Station between midnight and 3.05am on Wednesday 9th September, Surrey Police said.
The items include hydraulic cutting and spreading tools, which firefighters use to rescue people trapped in vehicles following serious crashes and at other emergencies.
Service still able to respond
Contingency arrangements have been put in place and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service remains able to respond to emergency incidents.
The service said replacing this type of equipment can be costly and that incidents like this create avoidable disruption.
'Targeted in this way'
Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: "I am extremely disappointed that an emergency service has been targeted in this way, following an appalling national trend.
"We are working closely with Surrey Police and are determined to do everything we can to trace this equipment and identify those responsible. The stolen items are geo-fenced meaning it can be GPS tracked and remotely disabled, meaning they will be of no operational use to anyone who has taken them. We will pursue every available line of enquiry and we urge those involved, or anyone with information, to come forward now.
"We still need support from local residents to help build the clearest possible picture of what happened. Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area of Painshill Fire Station between midnight to 3.05am this morning, or who may have CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, is asked to contact Surrey Police quoting reference: PR/45260109612 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
What police know
Surrey Police have said two people made off towards the Sainsbury's petrol station on Portsmouth Road, Cobham.
Anyone with information can contact Surrey Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.