Teen on 999 car theft charges

TAKEN: a rapid response vehicle similar to the one taken

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged with the theft of a rapid response vehicle from Oldham Ambulance Station.

Police rushed to a burglary report at Crofton Street ambulance depot early yesterday morning - to find the vehicle, which carries life-saving equipment, had been stolen shortly after midnight.

The car was later found abandoned and undamaged more than a mile away at the junction of Windsor Road and Bright Street.

An Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Thankfully the vehicle was found abandoned nearby and is in the process of being deep-cleaned.” A replacement has been brought in to cover operations in the meantime.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving a vehicle without third party insurance and driving a vehicle without a licence. He was due to appear before Oldham magistrates today.

The incident comes just weeks after a string of thefts and incidents at another Oldham ambulance station. Two teenagers were charged with breaking into and burgling Crompton Ambulance Station and stealing a bicycle in June. The Moor Street depot was targeted earlier this year when a car was stolen and staff lockers raided.

In February a lifesaving £1,000 defibrillator was stolen from the depot only days after thieves smashed windows to get, but took nothing.