AN AMBULANCE car used by community volunteers for vital life-saving work was one of several vehicles vandalised in the New Forest.

Now Bransgore Community First Responders have spoken out about the “disgraceful” actions of the vandals.

And police have appealed for information from the public to try to find those responsible.

The vehicle, which was parked in Burnt House Lane, was one of the those damaged overnight on Saturday.

Others were parked in Shackleton Square, Hill Close, Shearsbrook Close, Rosehill Drive, Stibbs Way, Brookside Road and Tyrells Court.

Mike Jukes BEM, co-ordinator of the Bransgore scheme, said: “While we share the frustration of everyone whose car has been damaged, to actually damage our ambulance car so it is not useable, during a time of the pandemic health emergency is disgraceful.

“As a result of this mindless action our volunteers are less likely to be able to provide that critical response in the first few minutes of a medical emergency or cardiac arrest.

“This really could cost lives in our community until we can get the car back on the road. Local communities donate money which enables South Central Ambulance Charity to provide the cars. To have someone do this is so disrespectful to those who care.”

Jack Ansell, Operations Manager for South Central Ambulance Service in Hampshire added: “The car is covered in high visibility markings, the vandals took all that into consideration and continued to cause damage.

“Damaging a vehicle which our local responders use in volunteer capacity and continue to raise funds to support, is disgusting. The team are now without a vehicle, which is only three months old, and this could significantly reduce the chances of them being available to the local community to attend a life-threatening call.

“The costs of repair or insurance excess will now have to be borne by the SCAS Charity and so this money cannot now be used for other lifesaving equipment. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police. I hope that those responsible don’t find themselves needing the services of the local community responders as their actions could well mean they are not available.”

A police spokesman urged anyone with information to call 101, quoting occurrence number 44200442536 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

Bransgore Community First Responders are local unpaid volunteers trained and despatched by the ambulance service to attend serious medical emergencies.

Anyone who may be interested in becoming a community first responder in the New Forest area should ring 0800 587 0207 or E mail cfr@scas.nhs.uk