Police investigating after six Hato Hone St John ambulances damaged in South Auckland

St John staff in Manukau first noticed the damage when trying to respond to a priority job. Photo / Police

Police are investigating two incidents of ambulances being targeted and damaged in South Auckland.

Police said they are seeking information on wilful damage reports at Hato Hone St John bases in Manukau and Ōtāhuhu, where six ambulances have had tyres slashed.

A new appeal has been issued after an incident at the Ōtāhuhu station on Atkinson Ave on April 9.

It follows a similar incident at the Manukau station on February 28.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau West area investigations manager, said: “In both events, an offender has illegally gained access to the stations’ compounds before slashing tyres of ambulances parked there.

“We are keeping an open mind as to whether these two events are linked.

“This sort of offending is extremely reckless, given the ambulances were rendered inoperable.

“It’s thoughtless and risks the lives of anyone who required urgent medical care during the period that ambulances were out of action.”

St John staff in Manukau first noticed the damage when trying to respond to a priority job.

St John acting Auckland district operations manager Angela Jardine said damaging ambulances is a serious and unacceptable act that directly affects the community.

“Ambulances are a critical part of the emergency response system,” Jardine said.

“When vehicles are taken out of service, it has the potential to delay care for patients who need urgent medical help.

“Our people come to work to care for others, and incidents like this are incredibly frustrating.

“We are working closely with police and urge anyone with information to please come forward.”

Hayward said there would be people in the community who know who is responsible and he urged them “to do the right thing” and contact police.

• Manukau station: offending occurred overnight between February 28 and March 1.
• Ōtāhuhu station: offending occurred overnight between April 8 and 9.

Anyone with information can update police online now at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, using the reference number 260409/0402.

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.