LIVES could potentially be put at risk in an emergency after a defibrillator was stolen and another vandalised separate Somerset towns at the weekend.

One of the life-saving machines was taken from Shepton Mallet on Sunday (February 27) between 2.55am and 3.15am.

Its tracker was vandalised and the defibrillator itself has not been located.

CCTV footage of two people believed to have information about the incident has been submitted to Avon and Somerset Police.

In Worle, Weston-super-Mare, another defibrillator was vandalised in an attack between Friday and Sunday (February 25-27).

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “Community Public Access Defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death during a cardiac arrest.

"The quicker a defibrillator is used, the higher the chances of survival.

"Simply put, stolen or vandalised defibrillators can put lives at risk.”

If you have info about the stolen defibrillator, contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101 quoting reference number 5222048843.

A defibrillator is used to give an electric shock to help restart a patient’s heart when they are in cardiac arrest. A unit with a tracker costs more than £1,000 to replace.

• There is more information about community public access defibrillators across the South West and how you can help at: South Western Ambulance Charity | Supporting our communities (swambulancecharity.org)