A NEW defibrillator should be put somewhere else in a popular park after vandals stole the last one and left it to collect rubbish, cafe staff said.

The defibrillator, which costs around £1,000, has been targeted twice in Hove Park since it was installed by the Rotary Club in 2015.

The last incident happened in 2018 and the case for the life-saving equipment has been left collecting people’s rubbish ever since.

“Infuriated” staff at the café think a new defibrillator should be put in somewhere else in the park where people are less likely to gather at night.

Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove City Council said it was “very disappointed” that the equipment had been targeted by vandals.

A spokesman added that it would need to consult with “emergency services on any plan to move the Hove Park defibrillator to a different part of the park” and how any move might “reduce the risk of further vandalism.”

Carla Lampreda, manager at Hove Park Cafe, said she did not want the defibrillator at the café as she was concerned about it being vandalised.

The Argus: The case for the defibrillator which has sat empty for four yearsThe case for the defibrillator which has sat empty for four years

She said: “The café having the veranda, children are always under here in the evening right through the night. They’re drinking and often cause damage to our property.

“That’s always been the case even before the defibrillator, break ins. I knew that wasn’t the best place to have it, I knew eventually it would get vandalised. We replaced it and it got vandalised again.

“It’s very sad, I can’t tell you the amount of swear words that came out my mouth that day it was stolen. I foresaw it to be honest.”

Vanessa Brown, councillor for Hove Park, said she will raise the issue in the next Full Council meeting in April.

Cllr Brown said: "It's a great shame for all residents and visitors to Hove Park that this piece of equipment has been vandalised twice and is now no longer available.

The Argus: People want the defibrillator moved somewhere else where it is less likely to be vandalisedPeople want the defibrillator moved somewhere else where it is less likely to be vandalised

“It is a really vital piece of equipment as it could save someone's life.

"As it has been vandalised in that position twice, it needs to be in a more secure place that is also accessible and known to the public.”

A council spokesman said: “Defibrillators need to be put in places that are easy to find, as the emergency services may need to explain to people over the phone where to find them.

The Argus: Cllr Vanessa Brown will be raising the issue at Full Council in AprilCllr Vanessa Brown will be raising the issue at Full Council in April

 “When the Hove Park one was originally installed defibrillators also needed to be connected to a mains electricity supply. 

 “So the café was the obvious place to put it.

 “Defibrillators are clearly a great thing to have in a park, and these days there are types that do not need connecting to a mains supply.

 “A recent motion signed by all parties to expand the number of defibrillators in public spaces in the city was agreed recently. An upcoming report will explore how the council can work better with local organisations to provide them.

 “We would need to consult with the emergency services on any plan to move the Hove Park defibrillator to a different part of the park, and also consider the extent to which any move might reduce the risk of further vandalism.”