THIEVES have been slammed for stealing a satellite navigation system from an ambulance.

And the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has warned criminals that stealing the equipment will affect only one section of the public - the sick and the weak.

The warning comes after a spate of thefts of the navigation systems across the North West, including a Stacksteads-based ambulance targeted last week.

It will cost the ambulance service £2,000 to replace the equipment.

Stealing the equipment is "futile" as the systems are worthless once removed from the vehicle, the ambulance service said.

NWAS director for Cumbria and Lancashire Derek Cartwright said: "Having equipment stolen from a vehicle causes a huge inconvenience to the service, as well as the financial implications.

"The screen is totally useless when removed from the vehicle and would have no value to the perpetrator.

"But it will cost the ambulance service £2,000 to replace as well as the time lost taking the vehicle out of circulation for repairs and re-fitting. NWAS relies on the satellite navigation system to ensure our paramedics reach calls in the quickest possible time.

"Because of that the nature of this sort of crime has a knock-on effect for patients in the area."

The service operates almost 1,000 vehicles in the region, and attends around 677,000 incidents per year.

Mr Cartwright added: "We are here to serve the people of the North West and our crews save lives on a daily basis.

"It is intolerable that they have to look over their shoulder in this way.

"This act is purely one of vandalism as there is no gain whatsoever by the perpetrators." Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.