An east Belfast funeral director has told UTV he is “devastated” after a defibrillator he installed outside his business was damaged.

Andrew Crymble said the box holding the life-saving piece of equipment was vandalised in broad daylight on the Woodstock Road on Sunday afternoon.

One man has been arrested in relation to the incident and remains in custody.

Mr Crymble explained that he had just installed the machine last week and plans to replace it immediately, but described the attack as “soul destroying”.

He added: “This is a device that could save a mum, dad, a granny, a grandad or a child’s life.

“It’s just devastating to see but obviously the key thing is that it will be up and running again, it will not stop us from having it there.”

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

Inspector Keith Hutchinson said: “It was reported at approximately 3.00pm on Sunday, four males caused criminal damage to a defibrillator outside a business premises on the Woodstock Road area of east Belfast.

“One male has since been arrested in relation to this incident and remains in police custody.

“We are appealing to anyone that may have any information or to anyone that may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the Woodstock Road area at the time to contact Strandtown Police Station on the non-emergency number 101."