LIFESAVING medical equipment worth thousands of pounds was stolen from Bromsgrove Ambulance Station on one of the busiest nights of the year.

The theft of the major incident trailer happened in Barnsley Hall Drive, Lickey End. The unit and equipment are used as a field hospital to treat up to 20 patients at major incidents.

It was one of only three in the whole of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The £5,000 trailer, which carries equipment for treating casualties, was taken between 7pm on Friday, December 30, and 4pm the following day.

The trailer contained a large emergency tent, medical equipment including a drip stand and stretchers, two fluorescent jackets, hot water boilers, lights, heaters, two generators, a bottle of gas, fire extinguishers and tools. The value of the contents is still being assessed, but is expected to run into thousands of pounds. The trailer is described as having a double wheel base and was predominantly white with the words Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service Major Incident Equipment on the sides.

Martin Fulloway, the emergency planning manager for Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "We are angry and disappointed that while ambulance crews are working to help the public, someone has come and stolen this important equipment.

"This happened on one of our busiest nights."

Det Sgt Chris Sheldon, from North Worcestershire police, said it was believed a 4x4 would have been needed to tow away the trailer.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact Bromsgrove police on 08457 444888 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 55511.