VOLUNTEERS who funded a lifesaving piece of equipment to a Wyre Forest village say they are "beyond angry" after the community's defibrillator was stolen for the second time in four months.

The Shuttle reported in July when heartless thieves stole the defib from a phone box in Shatterford, forcing Arley Parish Council to pay to replace the equipment.

But just four months after the theft, villagers have been left outraged once again after crooks wrenched open the new safe cabinet and made off with the equipment inside.

Alveley Community First Responders, which donated the first defib, posted on Facebook on Monday: "We are saddened and beyond angry that for the second time in six months, the public access defibrillator located in the red telephone box in Shatterford near Upper Arley has been stolen.

"The lock on the new DefibSafe cabinet has been forced open over the weekend and the iPAD AED defibrillator purchased by Upper Arley Parish Council to replace the previously stolen unit we donated has been taken.

"This is a valuable lifesaving piece of equipment now out of service and unavailable to West Midlands Ambulance Service for anyone needing it in the event of a cardiac arrest."

Mike Nixon, from the group, said: "We've had lots of messages from people basically saying what a bunch of scumbags these thieves are to steal a device that's there to potentially save somebody's life.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The defibrillator was ripped out of the phone box some time over the weekendThe defibrillator was ripped out of the phone box some time over the weekend

"Until that equipment is replaced, it's no longer available to anyone who needs it."

West Midlands Ambulance Service has since offered to replace the defibrillator with a second-hand unit.

A spokesperson said: “It’s very disappointing to hear that the public access defibrillator located in Shatterford has been stolen for the second time in six months.

“This is beyond upsetting. Chances of survival increase by 68 per cent if a defibrillator and effective CPR is performed on a cardiac arrest patient.

"This crime has once again resulted in a lifesaving piece of equipment being out of service and unavailable to the trust and anyone needing it in the event of a cardiac arrest.”

“West Midlands Ambulance Service will be donating a second-hand automated external defibrillator to the village of Shatterford.”

Anyone with information on the theft is urged to call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting crime number SD-40115-20-2222-00.