Lives are being put at risk by a spate of thefts from ambulances in Bradford, health chiefs warned today.

Vital lifesaving equipment is being taken as paramedics attend emergency calls.

The equipment includes satellite navigation devices, medical kits and even uniforms.

These have been taken from the vehicles while ambulance staff are busy treating patients.

A satellite navigation system was stolen from an ambulance in Wharncliffe Drive, Eccleshill, while paramedics attended an emergency at 12.50pm on Easter Monday.

Thieves struck again the next day when they stole a kit bag containing life-saving medical supplies from the back of another ambulance in Rowan Avenue, Thornbury, at 8.50am.

Detective Inspector Noel Devine described the thefts as cowardly and warned the thefts were putting people's lives at risk.

He said: "When an ambulance crew rushes into a home to treat an emergency case the last thing on their minds is making sure their van is secured.

"In the first instance the ambulance was broken into and the satellite navigation hand set stolen.

"The bag was taken from the back of the van which had a faulty lock. The people who carry out these thefts are cowards who are harming their own community.

"If the next call they have is for an emergency in their area they will be going into it ill-equipped. Given the number of fatal car crashes we have had over Easter this is totally irresponsible behaviour."

A West Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said the satellite navigation system was essential in helping ambulance crews get to their next destination quickly, but they were useless to thieves as they only work when linked to its centralised computer.

The spokesman said: "WYMAS is concerned that people steal vital and life-saving equipment from ambulances and we see these crimes as selfish and irresponsible.

"It not only causes a huge inconvenience to the service but has financial implications in replacing equipment and taking vehicles off the road until this is complete.

"WYMAS has had equipment stolen from ambulances including satellite navigation units, which help ambulance crews reach calls in the quickest possible time, through to paramedic bags which contain life-saving medicines.

"Stealing equipment from the ambulance service can have a knock-on effect for patients within West Yorkshire and could put lives at risk."

The theft of the systems from ambulances is not a new phenomena in Bradford.

Dozens have been stolen from cars in the past few months and in February the Telegraph & Argus reported how a recovery vehicle driver had a knife held to his throat while thieves stole his handset.