Break-in at Painshill Fire Station results in theft of life-saving rescue equipment

Surrey Police is appealing for information after approximately £30,000 worth of vital road traffic collision rescue equipment is stolen from Painshill Fire Station

Surrey Police is appealing for information following a break-in at Painshill Fire Station between midnight and 3.05am this morning (Wednesday 9 September), during which specialist rescue equipment worth approximately £30,000 was stolen from the station.

The items taken include hydraulic cutting and spreading tools, which firefighters use to help rescue people trapped in vehicles following serious road traffic collisions and at other emergencies.

Contingency arrangements have been put in place and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service remains able to respond to emergency incidents. However, replacing this type of equipment can be costly and incidents like this create avoidable disruption for the service.

Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am extremely disappointed that an emergency service has been targeted in this way, following an appalling national trend.

“We are working closely with Surrey Police and are determined to do everything we can to trace this equipment and identify those responsible. The stolen items are geo-fenced meaning it can be GPS tracked and remotely disabled, meaning they will be of no operational use to anyone who has taken them. We will pursue every available line of enquiry and we urge those involved, or anyone with information, to come forward now.

“We still need support from local residents to help build the clearest possible picture of what happened. Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area of Painshill Fire Station between midnight to 3.05am this morning, or who may have CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, is asked to contact Surrey Police quoting reference: PR/45260109612 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Surrey Police have released that the two individuals made off towards Sainsbury’s Petrol Station on Portsmouth Road, Cobham.

Notes to editors:

SFRS will not be undertaking interviews regarding this as it remains an open investigation.

The above information is all accurate and correct as of 2.45pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026. No further information will be shared by SFRS to avoid hindering an ongoing investigation.