People living in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, are raising concerns about a lack of life‑saving equipment in local police cars following a recent update on the number of available defibrillators. Warwickshire Police confirmed in June 2025 that 28 specialist vehicles were to be equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs); local reports and the OurJay Foundation say five more have since been added, bringing the reported total to 33.
The push for better coverage is led by the OurJay Foundation, which was set up in memory of 18‑year‑old Jamie Rees. Jamie collapsed on New Year’s Day 2022 and died in hospital on 5 January 2022. The group is calling for a national standard — known as “Jamie’s Law” — that would require AEDs to be carried in all frontline emergency response vehicles.
So far the devices have been placed primarily in specialist vehicles such as dog and firearms cars. Local residents have voiced their worries (discussion spiked on 7 February 2026), noting that beat or neighbourhood patrol cars often arrive at medical emergencies before ambulances but do not always carry defibrillators.
Warwickshire Police’s June 2025 announcement marked the initial milestone of 28 specialist cars being fitted; local reporting and the OurJay Foundation say that number has since risen to 33. The initial rollout was enabled by an allocation of devices via the Home Office and by charitable donations (including contributions from the OurJay Foundation); campaigners say progress remains too slow to equip the force’s many frontline vehicles.
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