Life-saving kit installed in the shadow of Seaham's Tommy

Seaham’s Neighbourhood Policing Team took delivery of two defibrillators last week, with one to be installed on the Terrace Green, close to Ray Lonsdale's First World War statue, and the other to be placed outside the officers’ station on The Avenue.

The kit can be used to give a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.

Pc Martin Thursfield, who helped lead fundraising efforts to buy the kit, said: “Stats show that the use of a defibrillator within five minutes of a cardiac arrest can produce survival rates of up to 70%, which is hugely significant.

“They’re straightforward to use and you can’t hurt anybody with them, so making them available to the community really could be the deciding factor in saving somebody’s life.”

Over the last year, with the backing partner agencies, off-duty officers have hosted a 5-a-side youth’s football tournament, cricket coaching sessions with coaches from Durham County Cricket Club, and a sponsored walk to raise funds, with the grand total raised so far still to be revealed.

Officers have also arranged a training session from the North East Ambulance Service on how to use a defibrillator, with further sessions planned.

Neighbourhood Inspector Joanne Malkin said: “Our long-term goal is to have defibrillators placed right across the Seaham area at key locations, and the team has more fundraisers planned to help achieve this.

“There’ll be sporting events coming up in the near future, including a ‘box-athon’ held by Seaham’s very own boxing club, and some of our officers will be completing a coast to coast bike ride finishing right in front of Tommy.”

The first two defibrillators were provided by Paul Kirton from Grassroots Football UK, who said: “We’re proud to work together with Durham Police to make the people of Seaham that little bit safer.”

Anybody who would like further information about the area’s new defibrillators, or who would like to find out how they can assist in fundraising, can contact Seaham Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101.

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