THE life-saving defibrillator on the wall outside Cox’s Butchers has gone missing.

It is believed that it was removed from its box at 16 High Street, Crediton, during the evening of Saturday, March 2.

Paul Fallon from the Rotary Club of Crediton, which paid for and cares for the defibrillator explained: “Once again the defibrillator at Cox's Butchers has been removed from its box.

“The case for the defibrillator was dropped outside a shop further up the High Street.

“This happened on Saturday night and I have informed the necessary authorities.

“I appeal to those who removed it to please return it as soon as possible.”

According to the Ambulance Service, more than 3,600 people are resuscitated by ambulance staff every year in the South West because they suffer a pre-hospital cardiac arrest.

For every minute that passes once in cardiac arrest, a person loses a further 10 per cent chance of survival, and with this, dramatic loss in chance of survival.

Last May the defibrillator was removed and later found at an address by police in Exeter.

If anyone has any information relating to the missing defibrillator they can contact Paul Fallon on 07971 213344 or email: [email protected] .

• Did you see who took the defibrillator?

If you would like to return it, it can be left at the Crediton Courier office.