An appeal for life-saving equipment to be returned to a mid-Norfolk market town has been shared by the group that provided it. 

The charity Heart 2 Heart Norfolk issued the plea via social media to return its defibrillator to Dereham Cancer Care following its disappearance on January 22. 

Staff at the Baldings Yard facility reported seeing a man running to the cabinet before removing it – but has since failed to be returned. 

Zoe Flint, manager of Dereham Cancer Care, said: “We’ve been so patient, and we don’t want to cause anyone any more possible stress. 

Dereham Times: Dereham Cancer Care has asked for its defibrillator to be returned

“But seeing our cabinet empty every day, and now into the third month, is very sad.” 

While the location of the defibrillator is known by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, data protection means that information cannot be shared.  

The Trust has contacted an individual twice asking for the equipment to be returned but to no avail. 

Dereham Times: Dereham Cancer Care team pictured on last year's Purple Day in memory of its founder

Jayne Biggs, who set up Heart 2 Heart Norfolk after her seven-year-old daughter suffered a cardiac arrest, donated the equipment the Dereham Cancer Care. 

She said: “The defibrillator was taken out of the cabinet on a 999-call during the day and has still not been returned. 

“It has now been missing for more than two months, and off 'The Circuit’ for 76 days, which even in any circumstances should have been taken back – if not by the person, by someone else.  

“The defibrillator was there when they needed it in an emergency and now it’s not available to anyone else who could have also needed it in an emergency. 

“I think Dereham Cancer Care and I have been more than patient, hence why I have no choice but to make this public now." 

She added that if the defibrillator was not returned next week, she would be reporting it as theft to Norfolk Police.