More than 40 defibrillators have been donated by Dorset Police to help save lives against heart attacks.

The life-saving devices have been given to the charity AEDdonate after the force upgraded its current stock of defibrillators.

The force holds a number of operational Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in case of emergency, but also stores a number of training devices that are used by the Operations Training Department to deliver real-life scenario inputs.

The devices help the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, which kills approximately 100,000 people a year in the UK.

The type of device owned by Dorset Police has recently changed to a newer and more modern device so first aid co-ordinator Matt Lydford and sergeants Lewis McQueen and Matt Silvey identified that these life-saving devices could be donated.

In total 42 live AEDs and seven training AEDs have been presented to AEDdonate.

Assistant chief officer Jo Mosley, director of people and support services, said: “While we must ensure that our medical equipment is kept up-to-date and modern so that this is most effective in emergencies, it is also important for us to be resourceful and continue to keep identifying opportunities to recycle and be more sustainable.

“I’m extremely proud of the operations training department for using their initiative to donate these life-saving devices to a charity that does so much for our communities and works hard to keep people safe.”

Chief Executive Officer Jamie Richards, of AEDdonate, added: “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dorset Police for their generous donation of 40 defibrillators. This significant contribution greatly enhances our efforts to support communities in need."