CHESHIRE roads will soon be even made safer thanks to a life-saving donation from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

NWAS has donated 16 defibrillators to the Cheshire Police Roads Policing Unit and is providing officers with training in how to use them.

The aim of the new equipment is to give roads policing officers the tools they need to save someone’s life at the scene of a collision.

Nicholas Blair, from NWAS, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with our colleagues at Cheshire Police on this programme.

“Police officers are exposed to challenging environments where there is an increased likelihood of a medical emergency occurring. They are also high profile patrolling resources that can make a swift intervention prior to the arrival of an ambulance.”

The defibrillators will be fitted to 16 traffic cars which operate on the road network throughout the county on Monday September 1.

Insp Richard Hill said: “Acting quickly when someone is in cardiac arrest is critical, and as police officers are often the first on the scene at major collisions where somebody’s life is in danger.

“We are extremely grateful to NWAS for the donation that they have made. Defibrillators can be the difference between life and death, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chance of survival by 10percent.”