← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
08 July 2026
Lead MP
Steve Darling
Responding Minister
Sarah Jones
Tags
Policing & ResourcesNHS
Word Count: 2625
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Steve Darling raised concerns about defibrillators in police vehicles in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Minister to take steps to ensure that all police response vehicles are equipped with defibrillators and remove the postcode lottery for emergency medical aid, ensuring that such tools become mandatory in all response vehicles.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the lack of defibrillators in police vehicles, which can lead to missed opportunities for saving lives during cardiac arrests. Jay, a young man who had a cardiac arrest at the age of 18, was one such victim due to the delayed arrival of an ambulance and the absence of a defibrillator nearby. The medical evidence shows that for every minute without intervention, there is a 10% reduction in survival rates. Less than 10% of response vehicles across the country have defibrillators as standard equipment.
Adam Dance
Con
Yeovil
I suggested that police vehicles should not only carry defibrillators but also bleed kits to address other emergencies. Yeovil town council has already introduced both in the community, and I believe similar provisions would be beneficial for emergency response.
Amanda Hack
Lab
Normanton
I shared the lead MP's sadness over Jay's death and agreed that rural constituencies face issues with access to defibrillators. I highlighted a 'defib dash' campaign in my constituency which found an average return journey time of 12 minutes on foot, making the case for emergency vehicles equipped with such devices.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
I supported the idea of equipping police vehicles with defibrillators such as CU Medical iPAD SP1 or Defibtech Lifeline AUTO, stressing that trained officers must have these tools to save lives during cardiac arrests and other emergencies.
Government Response
Sarah Jones
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I congratulate the hon. Member for Torbay on securing this important debate and thank him along with other Members for their contributions. The Minister acknowledged the work of the Our Jay Foundation, which has raised about £800,000 to fund hundreds of defibrillators and provided an evidence base showing lives saved as a result. Last year, 750 defibrillators were funded by the Home Office before she became Minister; some are in police vehicles while others are in buildings. Currently, approximately 27% of police vehicles have defibrillators, though there is concern within policing about the role versus other emergency services and training requirements for first aid. The Minister stated that she is having conversations with police forces to understand any concerns regarding defibrillators and that there is a step-by-step approach towards funding more defibrillators in police vehicles. There is a national police service reform underway, presenting an opportunity to procure necessary equipment nationally and decide on standard items for all police vehicles. The Minister intends to engage further with policing over the next few months regarding this matter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.