A PIECE of vital lifesaving equipment has been installed at Ammanford Police Station.

The defibrillator, worth £1500, was donated by the charity Welsh Hearts and is now displayed by the front door of the station for anyone to use in a medical emergency.

Ammanford police officer PC Gavin Leyshon, who organised the installation, said: “The defibrillator is sited at the front of the building and Welsh Ambulance Service will have the combination number so that members of the public can access the life saving device.

“Officers at Ammanford Police Station will also be able to use it, instead of travelling to a device in the community - saving them time in a medical emergency.

“This is a fantastic gesture from Welsh Hearts and I hope Dyfed-Powys Police will look to work with Welsh Hearts to facilitate this at every building across the force.”

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential lifesaving step in the chain of survival.

If you come across someone who has had a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then you should find out if there is a defibrillator nearby.

Welsh Hearts is a heart charity in Wales, placing defibrillators in communities and delivering CPR and defibrillator training in Wales.