'Vital life-saving' tools stolen from fire station

Specialist equipment used to cut people free from vehicles has been stolen from a fire station.

Cheshire Police was called to Stockton Heath Fire Station in Warrington at about 07:20 BST. The break-in is believed to have occurred overnight.

Det Ch Insp Katie-Louise Allen said: "Some of the stolen equipment is used by our colleagues at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service when rescuing casualties trapped in vehicles that have been involved in collisions and can be vital life-saving equipment."

Police have appealed for anyone with information or video footage to contact them.

A force spokesperson said it was believed offenders forced entry to the building on Ackers Road overnight.

Det Ch Insp Allen said: "I would urge members of the public to be wary as we believe the offenders may try to sell on the equipment - if the price seems a steal, it probably has been stolen."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's area manager Steve McCormick said: "It is deeply disappointing that one of our fire stations was burgled overnight.

"This incident has a significant impact on the service, both financially and operationally."

He said the service wanted to reassure the public that "the area is still covered and we will continue to attend incidents across Cheshire as normal".

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