The distinctive red and yellow 4WD of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was targeted by thieves overnight on Sunday as it sat out the front of a Taminda business awaiting maintenance work. 

And it wasn’t the only target, police saying the offenders also scaled an eight-foot high boundary fence of the Barnes St business to gain access to the rear yard, where they stole a number of items from several cars between 7pm on Sunday and 8.45am yesterday. 

Helicopter service events co-ordinator Jeff Galbraith said about $500 worth of equipment was stolen from the Landcruiser, including the driving lights and the two-way radio aerial.

He said the stolen items were donated by local business as was a lot of its maintenance and upkeep, much of it carried out by All Terrain 4x4.

“It’s just really disappointing that they’ve targeted what was obviously a charity vehicle,” he said.

“There’s just no care or thought.”

 Police are urging anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the thefts to contact Tamworth police or Crime Stoppers.