POLICE are hunting a man who raided an ambulance vehicle and stole a stash of drugs and medicine.

An ambulance crew had been treating a patient at their home on Craven Street, Southampton during a night shift.

When they returned to their vehicle they found a man had broken in and was rifling through their supplies.

After confronting him the man the ran then off following the incident at around 5.20am on Thursday.

The crew discovered a number of packets and bottles of medication had been stolen.

Police have described the man as being white, around 30-years-old and wearing a dark puffer jacket and dark trousers.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is urging anyone who has information about the incident to contact Hampshire Police by calling 101 using crime reference number 44200027531

Paul Jefferies, Assistant Director of Operations at SCAS, said: “It is absolutely deplorable that someone should break into an ambulance and take medication that our staff need to ensure they can give patients the very best care. Whilst I am grateful that neither member of the crew was injured in any way, nor the vehicle damaged, I would urge the community to help Hampshire Police find this individual.

Whilst in this instance the patient’s care wasn’t affected in any way, this could easily have been a different story as the medication taken is used to treat life-threatening conditions and provide severe pain relief.”