Vandals target life-saving heart start machine

A defibrillator outside Read and Simonstone Constitutional Club in Whalley Road had its handle pulled off, rendering the life-saving equipment unusable.

Police believe the incident took place between 8pm on Friday, August 7th, and 8am on Saturday, August 8th.

Graham Handford, steward at the club, was concerned by the damage caused to the defibrillator.

“If someone was going to have a heart attack outside the club I could not get to it and we would have to get the other defibrillator from the Stork Hotel up the street,” he said. “It might be a matter of life and death.”

Burnley Police confirmed they would be making inquiries, and encouraged anybody with information to call 101.