A RESIDENTS' association is "extremely disappointed” after life-saving medical kit was vandalised, and calling for prevention measures to be implemented.

The Templars Community Association, which represents the Templars estate in Witham, has spoken out after a defibrillator, located in Shaw Road, was attacked for the second time.

Louise Spikings, the association’s chairman, spotted the defibrillator case’s glass was smashed, after completing a routine check on the unit as she was walking home through the estate on March 12 at about 11.30am.

Braintree and Witham Times: Smashed - A close-up which shows the damage caused to the defibrillator's case Smashed - A close-up which shows the damage caused to the defibrillator's case (Image: PR)

CCTV footage revealed the incident happened at 7.52am.

Luckily, the defibrillator was not in its case at the time of the incident as it is having new pads installed after the life-saving equipment was used recently.

Louise said: "I think as a committee, we are really disappointed. It takes a lot of fundraising to keep it active, and we worked hard to secure it.

“There have been situations where it was used last year, twice.

“Unfortunately for one of those times it had been vandalised, so it was unable to be used.

"The second time was in November 2023.

“It could save someone’s life. With it not being available, someone may need to use it and it’s not there.

Braintree and Witham Times: Speaking up - Louise Spikings and Steve Marshall from Templars Community Association next to the defibrillator Speaking up - Louise Spikings and Steve Marshall from Templars Community Association next to the defibrillator (Image: Public)

“We spent a lot of time working hard to get it for the community. If someone is having a heart attack, it could save a life.”

The association was founded in 1984 by Stella Tilson, Frank Joy, June Richardson, Roy Popper, Brian Fribbens, Jean Drake and Frank Moffat.

The association secured £1,000 funding from the Eastlight Residents Group South and £750 from Braintree Council to buy the equipment in 2021.

Witham MP Dame Priti Patel recently met with the association and members of Essex Police to discuss the situation and the rise of antisocial behaviour in the area.

Now, the association wants local schools to educate pupils.

Louise said: “The police have been brilliant so far.

Braintree and Witham Times: Concerned - Witham MP Dame Priti Patel in Shaw Road after visiting the vandalised defibrillator case Concerned - Witham MP Dame Priti Patel in Shaw Road after visiting the vandalised defibrillator case (Image: PR)

“What we would really like is support from local schools, for them to do assemblies or explain to the children on what a defibrillator unit is and why it is important.

“If people can understand what the equipment does, they would not be vandalised."