THIEVES have made off with a piece of life-saving equipment donated to the local community in Chadwell St Mary.

The defibrillator mounted on the wall of Chadwell St Mary library was been removed from its case, and the pads and battery-pack stolen.

Chadwell forum chair Peter Saunders says: "This means that a piece of life-saving equipment can no longer be used for its intended purpose and could mean the difference between life or death for someone who suffers cardiac arrest.

"Essex Police have been informed that there is a CCTV camera covering the location, and have been alerted to the possibility of someone having made a bogus 999 call.

"The defibrillator was donated to the community of Chadwell St Mary by College Health, and the case was provided by Chadwell St Mary Community Forum and this was installed by Thurrock Council.

"The Community Forum will consider launching an appeal to purchase a new defibrillator at its AGM on Thursday, 19 May in Emmanuel Church, Sleepers Farm Road.