A SYNAGOGUE is asking a “prankster” to return its defibrillator after it was stolen for a second time.

The life-saving device was taken from the Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue in Lansdowne Road, Hove, last week.

President Sandra Walker, 71, said: “It’s shocking. We are trying to do something for the community.

“We purposefully put the defibrillator on the outside of the building so if anybody needs it then it is right there.

“People’s lives are saved by having a defibrillator available.”

Sandra said the possible consequences of not having the defibrillator readily available could be dire.

She said: “When you have a heart attack you often have to get treatment straight away. This will cost lives if it is not found. It is absolutely vital that it is returned.”

This is the second time the defibrillator has been stolen from the synagogue since it was added to the outside of the building.

Sandra said: “It was a couple of youngsters who took it. But a week after it had been stolen it came back.”

Now she is hoping the defibrillator is returned once again and has added a note to the empty case on the wall asking for it to be brought back.

Sandra said: “The fact is we are a fully inclusive synagogue and we have a duty to the community. If somebody has done this as a prank, we would like them to bring it back.”