A REPLACEMENT defibrillator has been given to a village sports club after the original was damaged.

A police investigation was launched after a defibrillator was ripped off a wall in the King George V car park in Allington Road, Newick.

Officers arrived at the scene on Saturday, October 2, to find a defibrillator had been damaged and the contents had been thrown across the ground.

Police enquiries indicate the incident happened at around 7.35pm on Friday, October 1.

The Argus: A police investigation was launched after a defibrillator was ripped off a wall in the King George V car park in Allington Road, Newick A police investigation was launched after a defibrillator was ripped off a wall in the King George V car park in Allington Road, Newick

Newick Football Club shared a CCTV video on social media after the incident which shows three people in hoods pulling the defibrillator from the wall.

The group then allegedly took the defibrillator to a nearby skate park and "smashed it up into pieces", according to the football club.

The club described the actions as an "evil act" - with the life-saving equipment costing thousands of pounds.

But South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust announced on Friday that a temporary replacement defibrillator had been found.

The Argus: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust announced a replacement defibrillator had been found South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust announced a replacement defibrillator had been found

A member of the trust’s community resilience team handed over a replacement defibrillator to chairman of Newick Sports Pavilion Committee Andy Penfold.

The committee also in the process of securing funds for a new, permanent defibrillator.

Newick-born TV presenter slammed those responsible for the incident on social media, calling them “utter scumbags”.

Alongside the video of the incident, he tweeted: "What utter scumbags. Anyone know who did this?"

An active investigation is underway into the incident, and several lines of enquiry are being pursued by officers, according to police.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "This is a despicable act, which could endanger lives, and we need anyone who can help to get in touch with us."

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the police either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 1235 of 01/10.