LOCALS have reacted furiously after a second defibrillator box was deliberately damaged in Annan earlier this month.
The life-saving equipment at Atwals Store on Springbells Road was targeted by opportunistic vandals in the early hours of New Year’s Day — just two weeks after another AED was found smashed on Station Road.
CCTV footage from the shop captured what happened and shows two men in the area and one punching the defibrillator.
A still is shown above but the full film can be viewed here on Facebook, with police hoping someone might be able to identify the perpetrators.
Their horrific acts have provoked shock across the community, with many going online and on social media to share their disgust.
Stella Ross wrote: “Absolutely sums up the total lack of respect for people some morons have. They should be jailed for this kind of behaviour.”
Sylvia Jenkins added: “Maybe the people who are doing this will come to realise the damage they are doing when a relative has a heart attack and the defibrillator they need is broken down to their vandalism.”
Jodie Cuthbert said: “Shows the mentality of some people, said people who damage these machines would be the first to complain if they needed to use them to help save a loved ones life and they can’t use them because they have been damaged.”
Linda Nelson called the perpetrators “disgusting selfish people.”
And Matthew Wallace added: “If any good can come from this pathetic act of cowardice it would be to take a moment to locate the closest defibrillator to you, hoping never to need it.”
Both incidents were reported to the police, who confirmed this week that no individuals have yet been charged and that enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact officers in Annan via the 101 number.
