A defibrillator stolen and two others were damaged during a burglary.

Between 11.30pm on Friday, April 13 and 11.55am the following day, the lock on the defibrillator case by the Henderson Memorial Hall in the High Street was damaged, in Abbots Langley.

During the same times, the casing on equipment outside Manor House Sports Club, in Gallows Hill Lane, was also damaged.

Previously, between 11.20pm and 11.30pm on Thursday, March 29, four males were seen removing the defibrillator from outside Tanners Wood Hall in School Mead.

Members of the public intervened on this occasion and the males dropped the defibrillator nearby before running off.

PC Abbi Symes, from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The fact that people have damaged and attempted to steal equipment which is there to save lives, is very upsetting for people within the local community who may need to use it one day.

“Thanks to intervention from a vigilant member of the public, the defibrillator was quickly recovered and returned to the local council on the first occasion. However, we have now seen further incidents and are working to establish whether they are linked. I am appealing for anyone with information to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Symes on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C2/18/953. You can also report information online at https://www.herts.police.uk/Report.