A bag containing vital medicines was stolen out of the back of an ambulance in Rochester as crews treated a patient complaining of chest pains.

Now ambulance chiefs have dubbed the theft "mindless and irresponsible" and urged anyone offered the medicines not to take them - as they are only to be taken under supervision.

It comes after a a bag containing medication was taken from the ambulance parked on Canal Road, Rochester, just after 10pm on Wednesday.

An ambulance spokesman said: "I would urge the public not to take any of the medicines that were in the bag as they are prescribed drugs given under supervision only.

"The ambulance was parked in the area while paramedics were treating a man complaining of chest pains.

"Any theft of any drug is mindless and irresponsible and risks patient care" - ambulance spokesman

"Any theft of any drug is mindless and irresponsible and risks patient care."

The bag is described as yellow, with the ambulance service crest on it.

A police spokesman said: "It is thought that a number of people were in the area at the time of the incident and I would encourage any witnesses or anyone with information about the whereabouts of the bag or medication to contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 1127-1623.