More defibrillators in police cars after campaign

Defibrillators will be installed in 28 specialist police cars across Warwickshire following a campaign.

Warwickshire Police said the Home Office initially offered forces across the country 14 defibrillators each but following negotiations, the county was awarded double.

The lifesaving devices will be placed in the force's dog and firearms cars.

It follows a campaign by the OurJay Foundation which was set up after the death of 18-year-old Jamie Rees, from Wolvey. The charity wants defibrillators in more police vehicles across the UK.

Naomi Rees-Issitt described how officers were first on scene when her son collapsed but despite administering CPR, were unable to save him.

Doctors later said Jamie might have lived if officers or the public had had quicker access to a defibrillator.

His mum said: "If [police] had just had that defibrillator in their vehicle, there was a really good chance that Jamie would have got defibrillation much quicker and could probably be standing here today."

Her charity is campaigning for Jamie's Law, which would see defibrillators become mandatory in a higher percentage of police vehicles across the country.

"They are being put in literally this week, which is fantastic, and we're working with Warwickshire Police on installing accessible defibrillators across all the police stations in Warwickshire as well."

Assistant chief constable Clare Armes said the force would have "more devices out there to save lives".

She said officers and PCSOs could be first at the scene of emergencies and often had to administer first aid until it was safe for other agencies to come in.

"Many lives have been saved over the years because officers and staff have administered CPR and other emergency first aid," she said. "We see these defibs as another part of our first aid toolkit."

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