UK FIRESTATION RANSACKED AND COMPUTERS STOLEN Firestation Ransacked And Burgled (from Lancashire Evening Telegraph): "Firestation ransacked and burgled
By Gavin Gibbon"

THIEVES ransacked Nelson fire station and stole over £2,000 worth of equipment as firefighters were out tackling a blaze.

Today the "sick" burglars were slammed for putting lives at risk just to line their own pockets.

And fire chiefs have refused to rule out extra security at the station as a result of the "despicable" break in.

Two Dell computers with monitors and a digital camera were stolen from the station in the early hours of Friday as the crew were out dealing with a machinery fire at BSN Medical in Brierfield.

Watch manager Andrew Smith said: "It had been ransacked. They had damaged property, broken drawers and tipped the contents all over the floor. It was left in a complete state."

The thieves gained access to the station by forcing open a door with a screwdriver between 3.30am and 5.30am.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said they were investigating the crime along with the police.

And they admitted additional security may now be considered.

"The whole purpose of the fire service is to help communities and not just through emergency responses. Things like computer equipment is very much part of the fire prevention and protection process.

"They will be replaced and there will be no compromise to the business at Nelson. Nevertheless it's a sad day when something like this happens."

Sgt John Fryer from Nelson added: "It's very disappointing someone would do this when people are out in the community helping.

"These are used by the fire brigade and are essential for their work. For them to be stolen like this makes you sick. It is a despicable crime."

And Coun Mohammed Iqbal condemned the thieves and urged anyone who may be offered the computers for sale to report it to the police.

He said: "I think this is a despicable act. Clearly the people who have done this deserve to be locked up for as long as possible.

"Firefighters do an excellent job for the people of Nelson and for them to be robbed while they're out helping people, it's just not right.

"If someone is stealing something like that I would suspect it is someone who is very hard pressed for cash and I have no doubt the items will be on the black market.

"But before anyone thinks about buying anything like this they should ask themselves where they've come from in the first place and shop this thief or thieves as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should contact PC Richard Kemp at Burnley police station on 01282 425001.
7:00pm today