Thieves in Shipley have sunk to new levels of depravity after a flight helmet was stolen from Yorkshires Air Ambulance during a tasking on the 8th of August.
After an appeal on social media, locals managed to locate the stolen helmet, and it was returned to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
However, the damage that had been inflicted upon the flight helmet by the thieves who stole it was so significant, that the helmet now needs replacing.
Abby Barmby, Director of Marketing & Communications for the Charity said:
“We were appalled to hear that one of our valuable flight helmets was stolen from the back of our helicopter while our crew were responding to an emergency 999 call last night in Shipley.
“We understand that a group of youths were involved, and cannot comprehend why they felt it necessary to take such a vital piece of our equipment.
“Our flight helmets are specialist and vital pieces of equipment all our crews wear in flight.
“Not only are they worn for protection and safety purposes, but they are also worn so the crews can communicate with each other in flight.
“Each helmet is bespoke to our crew members and cost in the region of £2,700.
“Unfortunately it looks like there has been too much damage done to this helmet and it will now need replacing.
“As an independent Charity who relies on charitable donations to help fund our vital work, having to replace costly items of equipment that have been unnecessarily damaged for no justifiable reason is extremely disheartening.
“We would, however, like to thank the kind people in Shipley that managed to locate the helmet and return it to the crew, and also to West Yorkshire Police who have been of great assistance.”
A local PCSO tweeted his disgust at the theft and said:
‘Never been so disappointed.
‘People of Shipley, while the air ambulance has landed in the West Royd area. To save a life. Someone has stolen a flight helmet from the helicopter.
‘Any information regarding this please call 101 quoting 13190405939.’
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I hope the culprit gets a taught a lesson by the locals, with no Police or Ambulance crews available !