A THIEF has been branded as “callous” after a life-saving defibrillator went missing from a community hall.

The heart-starting machine, worth around £1,500, was taken from Howwood Village Hall.

It had been paid for by Howwood Community Council and was stored in a locked box on an outside wall of the building.

Derek Bradshaw, caretaker at the village hall, said: “The defibrillator was kept in a box outside the hall, near the front door.

“When I saw it was missing, my first thought was that it had been used for an emergency.

“Someone must have just walked over to it and taken it. It’s shocking that they would think to do that.

“The defibrillator could save someone’s life and it will cost the community council a lot of money to get it replaced.”

The incident has been reported to the police, who have launched an investigation.

Sergeant Alan Mack said: “Someone was able to remove the defibrillator sometime between April 13 and 18.

“There is often a lot of coming and going at the hall but it really could have been anyone who took it.

“It’s a callous thing to do – a heart-starting machine is a medical device that can save someone’s life.

“It’s unclear as to why anyone would want to take it but we are continuing enquiries in an effort to find who is responsible.”

Anyone with information about the stolen defibrillator is asked to call the police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.