A GOOD Samaritan has stepped forward to replace a £1,000 winch stolen from an Upton-based river rescue service.

The winch was stolen from a Land Rover belonging to the Mercia Inshore Search And Rescue (MISAR) based at Upton Marina. The thieves ripped off the Land Rover's front bumper to make off with the winch overnight between last Thursday and Friday.

But thanks to publicity following the theft, a member of the public has stepped forward to provide a replacement.

The group’s backers said after the theft that it jeopardised the group’s lifesaving mission.

MISAR trustee Peter Webb said: “This Land Rover is our lead vehicle and ambulance, and thanks to these thieves it’s now out of action. We could get a call and be unable to respond as efficiently as we should because this winch has been stolen. The Land Rover would use it to put boats in and out of the water.”

However, as a result of the publicity, a brand-new winch has this week been donated by a Hereford resident, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Dave Walker, MISAR’s station chief, went to collect it on Tuesday, and said it is a generous and brilliant gift that will enable MISAR to get back into full action very quickly.

“All we need now is a new bumper,” he said. “If anyone knows where we could obtain a new Land Rover bumper, please let us know so that we can get the Land Rover back in action quickly. Once again, I must stress our thanks to the media and most of all to our life-saving donor.”

Police are urging people anyone with information to get in touch on 101 with information, quoting incident number 287s/250316.

Mr Walker said: “It must have taken at least an hour to remove it from the vehicle and that is only provided that they had the right tools. There is always the strong possibility that someone saw some suspicious activity at our HQ at Upton Marina or has noticed a neighbour with heavy equipment in their vehicle or premises.”

MISAR provides specialised mobile support alongside the army and emergency services during times of flooding and adverse weather along the rivers Severn and Avon. The group is largely funded by donations from the public.