LIVES could be put at risk after thieves stole vital equipment from an ambulance while its crew treated a casualty.

The Pershore Division of St John Ambulance has been forced to take one of its vehicles off the road because it is useless without the resuscitation kit.

Now the vehicle can only attend events as a back-up ambulance and the volunteers have been forced to pull out of covering sporting fixtures.

The resuscitation equipment, valued at £1,500, was stolen while crews tended to a casualty at a fireworks display at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on Saturday.

"Whoever took it could have been looking for drugs, but we're not paramedics and we don't carry them," said Richard Elliott, of the Worcestershire county branch.

"The blue bag contained various resuscitation equipment, a bag, mask and various airways.

"They also took a small cylinder of gasses, but they didn't take the pressure flow measure so they can't use it. They could try, but they would do some damage.

"The had left the vehicle for a matter of moments and someone decided to take advantage."

The 3ft by 18in bag went missing sometime in the early evening.

Volunteers in the division had raised cash earlier in the year for other equipment after completing a sponsored bike ride on the Wychavon Blossom Trail. But the theft has wiped out this year's efforts.

"The bike ride was almost cancelled because of foot-and-mouth disease, but luckily they managed to get the go-ahead," said Mr Elliott.

"The money they raised from that wouldn't cover the cost of this equipment.

"Until the kit is replaced the vehicle can't go out on its own. It's been restricted to a number of duties."

Anyone with any information on the theft should call police on 01905 723888, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.