Boy Arrested As Police Investigate Destruction Of Heart Defibrillator Outside Buxted F.C.

Sunday, 13 June 2021 21:40

By John Warburton @Warblefly

The remains of the vandalised defibrillator's housing (Photo: © Mick Gosden on behalf of Buxted FC)

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested, and was being questioned by police on Monday morning (June 14), in connection with the destruction of a public defibrillator outside a sports-club building in East Sussex.

CCTV footage from Buxted Football Club showed what appeared to be a male, accompanied by a female, repeatedly smashing the equipment to the ground, at 00:50 on Sunday.(June 13).

Sorry, it doesn't look like there's any photos here just yet.

The previous day, it's widely believed a defibrillator helped Danish footballer Christian Eriksen's life, when he collapsed in a Euro 2020 game.

The two people captured by security cameras appeared to be filming their vandalism.

The arrested boy is being held on suspicion of causing criminal damage, police said.

Club committee volunteer Mick Gosden was reported on Sunday night by The Mirror newspaper as saying:

"I really can't believe how low some people will sink.

"It's just so appalling.

"How would they feel if their parents or grandparents needed a defibrillator someday and there was none there?"

He added:

"The defibrillator was a community good purchased by the local parish council for the safety of footballers and a nearby park popular with elderly dog walkers."

Later on Sunday night, the organisation funded by McDonald's restaurants and supporting grassroots football, has offered to pay the replacement cost.

Hi Buxted FC team, we are so sorry to see this. We would be happy to pay for a new one for your club, we are following you now so please DM us if we can be of any help.
— McDonald’s Fun Football (@FunFootballUK) June 13, 2021

On Monday morning, Sussex Police confirmed their investigation continues after the arrest of a boy, and officers have assigned the incident Reference Number 0551 of 13/06.