New defibrillator for Costessey in Norwich after vandalism

Gary Blundell, South Norfolk councillor for New Costessey, and his wife Cllr Sharon Blundell, who represents Old Costessey, put £900 of their community allowance towards a new Queen’s Hill defibrillator.

This amount was then matched by charity London Hearts to purchase a new kit worth around £1,800.

The previous defibrillator at the community centre at the end of Poethlyn Drive was damaged by vandals in September.

The defibrillator was smashed and the electric pads pulled out (Image: Gary Blundell) Cllr Blundell said: "It is annoying that this has happened.

"I don't know the full extent of the damage but the unit had been smashed and the pads pulled out and left hanging loose.

"It might still be safe to use, but we don't want to take risks until it is properly tested."

Cllr Gary Blundell (Image: Newsquest) However, he warns that messing with high voltage and life-saving equipment is not only expensive but perilous too.

The device passes an electrical current through the body to restart a stopped heart.

"Playing with defibrillators is dangerous - they can kill you as well as save your life," he said.

"The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt when messing around or to need their life saving, only to find that it isn't working."

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The new defibrillator is locked and much harder to access (Image: Gary Blundell) Cllr Blundell added: "It is really important equipment, and we were keen to replace it quickly,

"The match funding was amazing and we have a new defibrillator in the area within a week of asking."

Now, the life-saving equipment is secured behind a locked box, which should make it harder for people to damage it.

There are also defibrillators at Breckland Hall and the Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane.