Vital rescue equipment totalling more than $10,000 has been stolen from a locked police vehicle in Launceston overnight.

Northern CIB detectives are investigating the incident, which occurred outside an address in Peel St West, Summerhill, between 3.20am-6am this morning.

Inspector Darren Hopkins said that police are appealing for information leading to the recovery of the items, which include an EPIRB tracking device used to track distress signals, an aviation radio also used to track distress beacons, two satellite phones and a Scout II Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) device crucial for rescuing people lost at night, particular in the water.

“The offender forced entry to the locked, secure canopy of a marked police Ford Ranger by smashing the tinted back window and forcing the rear canopy,” Inspector Hopkins said.

“The search and rescue vehicle needs to be equipped to respond to incidents at very short notice – it was locked and considerable force was used to gain entry.”

“This equipment is crucial for police to undertake search and rescue operations in the Northern District – we need this equipment to help save lives.

“The EPIRB tracking device is of absolutely no use to anyone but police – its purpose is to track distress beacons and may impact on our rescue capability if it is not located.

“The satellite phones are used by our search and rescue parties when they are out of mobile range, while the aviation radio is also a vital piece of our equipment.

“This incident is extremely disappointing and may potentially impact on our ability to respond to some rescues in the short term,” Inspector Hopkins said.

“The community can be reassured that we will be able to access equipment from other Districts in the short term, however I’d urge anyone with information to contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone who has any information, or witnessed any suspicious activity in the Peel St West, Prospect, area should contact Launceston CIB on 131444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.