Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents who live next to or opposite its fire stations to be alert to suspicious activity following two break-ins this week – with life saving equipment stolen during one raid.

Chatteris and Gamlingay fire stations were broken into in the early hours of Monday morning and Tuesday evening respectively. The fire service said that at Chatteris, life-saving cutting equipment used at road traffic collisions and other rescues was stolen by the burglars.

Now an appeal has been launched for anyone with information to contact police in a bid to bring the culprits to justice.

Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren said: “Break-ins to fire stations are happening across the country and this week we have been victims twice.

Life saving cutting kit was stolen in one of the raids

placeholder image — Life saving cutting kit was stolen in one of the raids

"We are asking for local residents to please help be our eyes and ears, to report any suspicious activity and make a note if possible of any vehicle details including registration number, as well as descriptions of any individuals involved.

"Please also save any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage if it has captured any suspicious activity. The incidents have happened when it’s dark, in the evening and early morning. Entry has been forced, so if you hear a noise coming from one of our stations, please do just look and check to see if it is our firefighters, don’t assume it is.

"This support by our local communities would be greatly appreciated.”

Anyone with information is asked to visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website or call 101 and quote the reference 35/21532/26.