Life-saving defibrillator damaged after being thrown onto street

A life-saving defibrillator has been damaged after it was torn from the wall of a local shop and thrown into the road.

CCTV footage shows a man approaching the Waterside shop at around 4.20am on Sunday morning.

He can be seen activating the device before throwing it onto the Rossdowney Road. 

The equipment was installed outside the Church Meadows Spar shop in June after a major fundraising campaign by the local community.

Shop manager, Richard Campbell said it's a vital piece of equipment bought by the local people for use in the worst-case scenarios:

Councillor Martin Reilly said:

“What drives someone to do something like this is a mystery. This person has given little consideration to the fact that this piece of emergency equipment is there to save lives. Their actions could mean tragedy the next time it is needed. 

"The culprit has displayed a level of idiocy that will baffle and anger many members of the public."

Inspector Gregory Smyth has appealed to anyone with  information about the incident to contact police in Strand Road by calling 101 and quoting reference number 445 of 21/08/16. Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.