Sussex thieves target ambulances and police stations

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that there have been numerous thefts from 999 vehicles and buildings in Sussex in the past five years.

Meanwhile police stations have been torched and, on one occasion, ram-raided. These are among dozens of incidents recorded in official figures.

Figures show that in 2012 there were 30 crimes committed at police stations.

These included threat or possession with intent to commit criminal damage, criminal damage to a vehicle and criminal damage to a building.

There were 37 reports of crimes in 2011, 47 in 2010, 42 in 2009 and 52 in 2008.

In 2011 Chichester’s custody suite was rammed with a Nissan Micra three times. No one was injured and a man was subsequently jailed.

In November 2012 two CCTV vans, a Land Rover and three general purpose police cars had their brakes slashed while parked at Lewes’ headquarters. But overall crimes committed at police stations have fallen.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Unfortunately, nobody is immune but everybody can do their bit to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime and it’s pleasing to see such a significant reduction across our own premises.”

South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) said there had been eight recorded incidents of theft from its vehicles in the past five years.

Objects taken include a paramedic’s jacket from Hastings in October 2008, a mobile phone from Chichester in December 2009, and medical equipment from Eastbourne in December 2010.

Crooks also took a sat nav, a mobile phone and an iPod from one vehicle in Telscombe Cliffs in January 2011, while a staff lunch was taken from Crawley in February 2013.

A Secamb spokesman said: “We obviously condemn any theft which is extremely irresponsible. One is one too many and we will always report any incidents to the police.

“However, thankfully this is not a major problem for the trust and should be seen in the context of us responding to well over half a million calls each year.”