VANDALS smashed their way into the locked down Kidderminster Hospital, setting off fire extinguishers and breaking equipment.

A large group of teenagers smashed the glass doors to enter the hospital at around 1am on the morning of Sunday, March 22.

Police were called to the hospital in Bewdley Road to discover the vandals had set off fire extinguishers and broke equipment around the hospital, which is currently in lockdown to protect patients from coronavirus.

Reports on social media say 20 fire extinguishers were destroyed and that staff were forced to leave wards, where they were caring for patients, to deal with the incident.

Inspector Dave King, from West Mercia Police, said an investigation is now under way.

He said: “At this very challenging time for our health care system and wider emergency services, it is unacceptable for anyone to tamper, destroy or in any way hamper the effectiveness of hospital equipment or ambulances.

“An investigation is under way and I would urge the public if they have any information to please come forward and get in touch.

"This behaviour will not be tolerated and I call on the support of our community in identifying the culprits."

Police are asking anyone who knows the identities of the vandals, or has car dash cam footage in the area from between 12.30am and 2am on Sunday, to call 101, quoting crime number 0020s.