Thieves risk lives by stealing ambulance satnavs

THIEVES are putting lives at risk by stealing satellite navigation systems from ambulances.

Three have been taken in Derbyshire this year and another 11 in 2007.

Ambulances are taken off the road while new systems are fitted.

And the thieves do not gain anything. The systems are useless once they are removed from the vehicles as they are integrated with their electrics.

Nick Arnold, security management specialist for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said it was shocking that the systems were being stolen.

He said: "The way these systems are being crudely ripped out of the vehicles not only renders them useless, it takes the vehicles off the road as well.

"The people who commit this kind of act against our service should be ashamed of their actions. They are putting people's lives at risk.

"The thieves are very opportunistic. They take the systems while ambulance staff are treating people in houses and flats."

The systems in ambulances are different to those used in cars because they also form part of a computerised communication system.

The systems not only deliver mapping information but also allow communication between crews and the control room, and potentially doctors.

Each system is coded for a particular ambulance and can only be used with it.

Mr Arnold said: "We have road maps in emergency vehicles to help crews get to the scene but satellite navigation is much faster and, in addition to address details, the system can convey important information to the crews about the calls they are responding to."

Thefts in Derbyshire included one in April in Derby, where the front window was smashed by a brick.

Another happened in the city in July when an ambulance crew was treating someone. A paramedic came out of the patient's house to find someone stealing his system.

A Derbyshire police spokeswoman said the thieves could attempt to sell the satellite navigation systems at car boot sales, on the internet or even in pubs, even though they would not work.

She said: "They are popular pieces of equipment.

"Our general advice to owners is to make sure they are not in plain view and that sucker marks are removed from dashboards so people don't think there is as a system inside.

"We are more than happy to talk with East Midlands Ambulance Service about how it can protect its devices."

No personal information can be accessed from stolen systems.

Anyone with information about satellite navigation thefts should call police on 0845 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.