'Sat nav' stolen from ambulance in west Belfast

Satellite navigation equipment has been stolen from an ambulance attending a call in west Belfast.

The crew was helping an elderly patient in the Ballymurphy area who was in severe respiratory distress when the equipment was stolen.

It happened at about 2200 GMT on Monday.

The vehicle from which the equipment was stolen will now be unavailable while the 'sat nav' system is replaced.

The ambulance service said the system enables crews to respond to emergencies in as short a time as possible and its theft could have resulted in delays which would have had serious consequences.

They have appealed for the thieves to ensure the equipment is returned as soon as possible.