Ambulance officers cut up over thefts

St John ambulance officers have been left feeling devastated after items were stolen from the Ngatea Ambulance Station while crew were on a callout.

Charmaine Knight, St John operations team manager for the Hauraki Plains, says the robbery has had a devastating effect on crew morale at a time when the station needs more volunteers.

"It has definitely shaken staff, especially those who came back to find the stuff gone," Ms Knight said.

Among items stolen were laptops, cell phones, a wallet and cash, volunteers' study notes, two first response kits containing medical equipment and supplies, a stereo, pagers used to call staff out to emergencies, high-visibility safety vests and personal items belonging to volunteers.

One staff member no longer feels safe staying overnight at the station when on the night shift.

"These thieves are jeopardising our ability to recruit and keep volunteer staff and our ability to respond to emergency calls for the community," Ms Knight said.

"We are already short of volunteers in the Hauraki Plains and are finding it difficult to maintain operational cover.

"The (stolen) pagers were there for new recruits," Ms Knight said. "We'll have to replace it all."

She was particularly annoyed that, along with the personal property of staff, the thieves took volunteers' study notes.

"These people are studying to improve their service to St John and they've stolen their study notes."

Ms Knight says it is the first time St John Hauraki Plains has been burgled in its 35 years of serving the Ngatea and Hauraki Plains community.

"The support from the community has been wonderful. If anyone knows anything, please get in touch with the police."

- © Fairfax NZ News