The North East Ambulance Service has condemned an attack on one of its ambulances in the early hours of the morning as they appeal to the public for witnesses.

Damage was inflicted to the vehicle at approximately 3am on May 31 as it was parked outside a house in Hartlepool whilst the crew responded to a job, treating a patient inside their home.

Paramedics then returned to find the driver’s side window smashed, a broken rear window pane and found various electronics from the vehicle strewn across the road as vandals fled the scene.

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Head of Operations at the North East Ambulance Service, Shane Woodhouse, has condemned the attack on the vehicle, that will now cost the service over £2,000 to repair.

He said: “Vandalising an emergency ambulance is wholly unacceptable and the damage caused might have had more immediate and serious consequences if our crew had needed to take the patient to hospital.

“Thankfully the patient did not need to be taken to hospital, but their life may have been put at risk because of this mindless attack. Had the patient been in a life-threatening condition, this could have had a very tragic ending.

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Shane added: “The ambulance was clearly parked outside a patient’s house while the crew were inside treating a caller who had rung 999 for help.

“We would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the police or Crimestoppers immediately and help us bring those responsible to justice.”

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Immediately following the incident, the crew were unable to drive the ambulance or respond to any other emergencies for the remainder of their shift.

Now, due to the extent of the damage, the vehicle will now be off the road for at least three weeks whilst it undergoes repairs.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting reference 104486.