A COMMUNITY health campaigner has lamented the “selfish” behaviour which saw a potentially life-saving piece of equipment badly damaged in the centre of Helensburgh.

Police officers were called to Colquhoun Square just after 10pm on the night of Tuesday, August 31 after being contacted by nearby residents to report youths allegedly causing damage to street furniture.

A public bench was damaged, having reportedly been struck with a traffic cone, while a public access defibrillator (PAD) - on the gable wall of the Sugar Boat restaurant – was also targeted during the incident.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The damaged bench in Colquhoun SquareThe damaged bench in Colquhoun Square

The front of the defibrillator cabinet was reportedly smashed and the base of the cabinet was also damaged, with police stating that the casing requires to be completely replaced at a cost of around £800.

Sheenah Nelson, coordinator of the Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club’s Heartstart project, which has campaigned for and installed PADs in the area for 25 years, condemned the “senseless” act of violence.

She told the Advertiser: “This defibrillator has now been used to save a life on about five occasions. The last occasion was last week.

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“It just seems so senseless to destroy something that the community funded and has tirelessly supported us to enable us to save local lives.

“We now have to look at fund-raising to replace the cabinet.

“This behaviour is not acceptable.

“It would be a different story if this defibrillator was not available for a relative who may suffer a cardiac arrest. Perhaps this would then show how important these life-saving machines are to our community.”

Sheenah said a replacement cabinet will cost around £500, plus installation fees.

Earlier this year the Heartstart group launched a ‘Save Our Hearts’ fund-raising drive to secure enough donations for five new defibrillators to be purchased and installed in the community during 2021.

There are currently more than a dozen defibrillators in Helensburgh, and the machines are available 24/7 to be used in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Police said a 17-year-old had been traced in connection with the incident and was returned to his home address in Bain Crescent, where he was charged in the presence of a parent.

The incident will be referred to the Children’s Reporter.