Defibrillators removed from outside shops due to rise in thefts

'We are working to find a solution to keep the devices safe and accessible to members of the public'

The Heart of England Co-operative Society, which has stores in Warwickshire and South Leicestershire, has made the decision to remove defibrillators from the front of their shops.

This is because some of the life-saving devices have been stolen from outside stores.

A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said "Police were made aware of a theft from the outside of premises on School Road in Bulkington on Wednesday (9 March). A defibrillator is reported to have been removed at around 5.20 am on Tuesday (8 March). Enquiries are ongoing."

This has caused the company to make the decision to keep the devices safe.

A spokesperson from The Heart of England Co-operative Society said "We regret to inform our members and customers that we have been forced to remove our defibrillators from our stores and branches out of trading hours.

"This follows the theft of several devices, and associated damage of their protective casings, in the past couple of weeks.  

"We are working to find a solution to keep the devices safe and accessible to members of the public during our trading hours, however out of trading hours they will not be available."