WORRIED villagers have sounded the alarm after a spate of vandalism, which includes tampering with life-saving defibrillator equipment.

The call comes after an increase in broken bottles, litter and graffiti left at Cardrona’s play park in recent weeks.

Concerns have also been raised about children climbing on the roof of the shelter at the pump track.

One fed up Cardrona resident posted on the village’s Facebook page on Wednesday: “The last few weeks have seen a spike in instances of littering and (usually) petty vandalism within the village.

“These incidents include; bottles being broken in the play park, general littering in the play park, graffiti and littering at the pump track, children climbing on the roof of the shelter at the track, interference with the watering system for the hanging baskets at the hall, and, most worrying, interference with the defibrillator at the hall.

“Can I ask everyone to remind their families (children or mischievous grandparents) to respect our village and property.

“If anyone retorts ‘but I have nothing to do’ please come back to us and we will gladly allocate an area of the village to litter pick or find a less able person that needs a few jobs done in their garden.”

Reacting to the concerns, Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell (SNP) told us: “It is deeply disappointing to read of littering and small experiences of vandalism in beautiful Cardrona.

“We need to find ways to keep the village tidy and keep young people engaged. Many communities in Tweeddale are being very active in picking up litter and making the place tidy, and I’m glad this is happening in Cardrona.”

John Houghton, from Peebles Community First Responders, who have offered to check the defibrillator, told us: “Taking a defibrillator out of action because of interference or vandalism could greatly reduce the chances of someone’s survival.

“Peebles Community First Responders works hard to monitor each device to ensure they are maintained correctly.

“Defibrillators are an essential part of the community in the Borders. Defibrillation within three to five minutes of cardiac arrest can produce survival rates as high as 50–70 per cent.

“This can be achieved through public access defibrillators such as the one at the village hall.

“Each minute of delay to defibrillation reduces the probability of survival to hospital discharge by 10 per cent. In the UK, fewer than two per cent of victims have an AED [Automated External Defibrillator ] deployed before the ambulance arrives.”

Anyone who witnesses incidents or problems in the village is being urged to report them online at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/report