POLICE are investigating after protective equipment was stolen from an ambulance in Middlesbrough.

The  personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported to have been taken as the ambulance crew attended emergency calls in the Newport area yesterday.

The items reported stolen were provided to the ambulance crew to keep them safe as they provide life-saving treatment to patients.

Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin, head of local policing, said: “The theft of equipment from frontline ambulance staff is despicable.

“Our emergency service colleagues continue to assist those in most need and it is disgraceful they were targeted in this way.

 “We’d appeal to anyone with information to contact us on our non-emergency number, 101.”