Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders have appealed to the public to contact the police if they witness any lifesaving defibrillators around the area being damaged.

The appeal comes after the latest incident where one of the ‘heart-starter’ life-saving devices located by Tenby’s North Beach was vandalised, with the cabinet of the defibrillator which was donated by the Tenby Aces cycling group recently smashed. 

Former medical correspondent at the Birmingham Mail, and first aider, Derek Weekes, who was visiting the resort around the time of the vandalism and reported the matter to ambulance chiefs, told the Observer that the actions of these vandals could have left thousands of holidaymakers vulnerable this Easter.

“The chances of saving a life drop by 10 per cent every minute after giving cardio pulmonary resuscitation, without the equipment,” he said.

“As a former medical correspondent at the Birmingham Mail, and first aider, I am aware of how minutes count,” continued Derek, who also spoke to visitor Mrs. Julie Jones, who was visiting the resort with her husband Dev, from Ammanford, stating they were ‘appalled’ at the vandalism.

Mrs. Jones said her late father, Ken, 82, had atrial fibrillation and had previously died of heart disease.

“We never know when we are going to need these machines. They are there for a reason, to save lives, and should be respected.and left alone for that purpose. I am disgusted at this vandalism,” she said.

Meanwhile, disgusted staff at Tesco staff on Tenby’s High Street say their defibrillator is often vandalised by drunks in the town.

Thankfully the defib outside the Tesco store has now been replaced by Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders.

“We place defibrillators out into the community, for the benefit of the whole community,” said local First Responder Ben James.

“It just makes you wonder what goes on in the mind of a person that thinks it’s acceptable to deliberately damage a piece of lifesaving equipment and in the case of the Tesco defibrillator cabinet, this has happened several times.

“We’d ask that anyone who witnesses any of the cabinets being damaged or has any information on previous damage to please get in touch with Tenby Police by ringing 101,” continued Ben, who said that they had now replaced the glass panel and the defib is back in the cabinet at the North Beach.

Anyone can operate a defibrillator, which is a valuable life-saver in the event of cardiac arrest: many Tenby visitors are elderly, and rely on the £1,050 machines.

The devices offer voice prompts so that even untrained passers-by can save lives by placing the pads on the victim and restoring the heart’s rhythm.

Around 30,000 people a year sustain cardiac arrest outside hospital and are treated by emergency services.