A RUGBY club chairman has blasted an act of 'mindless vandalism' after life-saving equipment was ripped from a wall.

Police received a report around 10am on March 3 of criminal damage to a defibrillator at Puddletown Rugby Club, in Enterprise Park, Piddlehinton.

Sam Bailey, chairman of the rugby club, along with officers found the defibrillator 'ripped from the wall', which according to the club's boss is now 'unusable'.

Mr Bailey said: "It’s a sad fact that mindless vandalisation still happens these days - especially with what's currently going on in the world.

"Vandalising an essential piece of life-saving equipment is not okay.

"Unfortunately, the defibrillator is beyond repair and is now unusable."

The rugby club boss has shamed those responsible as vandals, but said he is optimistic a new defibrillator will be installed in the 'coming months'.

He said: "We're optimistic that we'll get this replaced in the coming months and the support from the local community police officers has been great.

"Vandalism is a crime - and to do it to a potentially life-saving piece of kit is mindless when you could be the next person in need of it."

A defibrillator is an advanced medical tool that delivers a high energy, electric shock to the heart through the chest wall.

It is an essential life-saving tool for someone who is suffering a cardiac arrest.

There are thousands of defibrillators installed across the UK in public areas such as parks, work places, high streets and sporting venues - these public access defibrillators are known as PAD.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We had a report of complete mindless vandalism to a defibrillator at Puddletown Rugby Club, which was there for all the community to use in a medical emergency.

Since the act, patrols have been enhanced in the area, according to police.

"Officers have attended the scene and liaised with the rugby club," said the spokesman.

"Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting police reference number: 55210035066.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.