A VALE ambulance has had to be taken off the road after thieves stole potentially lifesaving equipment from it as the crew treated a casualty.

Resuscitation aids worth £1,500, including needles for setting up drips, a mask and laryngoscope and a cylinder containing Entonox, were taken from the St John Ambulance frontline vehicle at a fireworks display in Malvern last Saturday.

The ambulance has been rendered virtually useless without the vital equipment, which was contained in a three-foot long bag which was snatched as members of the Pershore division gave first aid to a casualty during the fireworks display at the Three Counties Showground.

Duty officer Paul Kellard said the crew realised the equipment had gone when they were packing up and estimated the time of the theft was between 8.30pm and 10pm.

He said it was probably stolen by people who knew what they were looking for as they chose not to take a DVD player, which was in the vehicle.

"The bag was there when we treated the casualty at about 8.30pm and then, when we went to pack everything away, we discovered it had gone," he added.

"This has really baffled us. The needles are too big to inject with and without a therapy head, the gas wouldn't last 20 seconds.

"If this falls into the wrong hands it could be dangerous, if the Entonox cylinder was thrown on a fire for example."

Divisional officer Margaret Hopkins suspected drug users may have taken the equipment, as a bottle of Entonox, mainly used for treating women who are pregnant, was also taken.

"It might have been someone wanting to get high on that," she said, adding she feared the bag could fall into the wrong hands and equipment such as needles could cause injury if not used properly. She added: "All the profit made from the autumn bikeaway would now have to be put towards replacing the equipment.

"I am absolutely gobsmacked that anybody would stoop so low to do such a thing."

Anyone with information on the theft has been urged to contact police on 01905 723888 or St John County Headquarters in Worcester 01905 359512.