Life-saving fire service equipment stolen from Lincolnshire stations

Fire crews in Lincolnshire have been hit by the theft of vital rescue equipment from two fire stations, in incidents that have sparked concern about the impact on emergency response in local communities. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said specialist tools were stolen from stations at Woodhall Spa and Corby Glen over the weekend. The equipment taken is believed to be worth up to £90,000 and includes items used to help rescue trapped people.

According to Lincolnshire Police, Corby Glen fire station on Bourne Road was burgled on Friday, while Woodhall Spa fire station was broken into sometime between Saturday and Sunday. No arrests had been made at the time of reporting and the investigation is continuing. Assistant chief fire officer Joe Haustead described the incidents as deeply upsetting for both the service and the communities it serves.

He said the break-ins were similar in style, with thieves forcing entry through the rear of the buildings. Minor damage was also caused to fire appliances. For villages and market town communities such as Woodhall Spa and Corby Glen, the loss goes beyond the financial cost.

Fire stations are a visible part of local resilience, relied upon not only for fires but also for road traffic collisions and other emergencies where specialist rescue gear can make a crucial difference. When equipment is taken, it affects the ability of crews to respond with their full range of tools. Mr Haustead said the thefts were having an impact on operational capability and described that as heartbreaking for firefighters whose role is to protect the public and save lives.

His comments reflect wider unease after similar incidents in Lincolnshire and elsewhere. The latest break-ins follow earlier thefts reported in December 2025, when life-saving tools worth about £50,000 were stolen from stations in Brant Broughton, Billinghay and Metheringham. That pattern has raised fears that fire stations are being deliberately targeted for specialist equipment.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service says it is now working to strengthen security across its stations in an effort to make future attacks harder to carry out and to deter would-be thieves. In a county where many stations serve rural areas, protecting emergency infrastructure is likely to be a growing priority. Residents are being urged to stay alert around their local stations and report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to police.

For communities across Lincolnshire, the message is a simple but serious one: when equipment designed to save lives is stolen, the consequences can reach far beyond the station doors.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.