THIEVES stole powerful medication from an ambulance parked in a heroin-blighted area of Greenock dubbed ‘Little Amsterdam’.

They pounced on the vehicle as it sat parked in Dempster Street — next to where residents say drug dealing has been taking place.

A bag containing equipment and prescribed medication was taken at around 3.50am yesterday , with the alarm raised at 7.15am.

Police yesterday cordoned off an area of grass at the top of Captain Street — next to Dempster Street — and carried out a search.

A Tele reader’s picture shows one uniformed officer wearing blue-coloured rubber gloves as he is joined by a colleague in the restricted area.

Sergeant Stuart Drake, of Greenock police, today warned that the stolen drugs could kill if administered incorrectly.

He said: “These medicines, if taken without strict medical supervision, could have potentially fatal consequences.

“I would ask anyone who has been offered any medication or may know about their whereabouts to contact the police.” One local resident today told the Tele that he wasn’t surprised at the sickening theft.

The man said: “It just shows you the audacity these people have got — they just don’t care.

“This theft puts people’s lives at risk — those of idiots who take them but also those of people who might have been deprived of paramedic help as a result.” The Tele told on Monday how teams of police had carried out a series of drug raids on properties believed to be connected with the so-called ‘Little Amsterdam’ patch.

The raids came after we revealed how drug deals appear to have been taking place in broad daylight in the Whinhill Court and Wellington Street area.

Sergeant Drake said: “I appeal to anyone who may have been in the area of Dempster Street in the early hours yesterday, and either witnessed the theft, or has information that may assist police enquiries to come forward.” Anyone with information should call the police on the non-emergency 101 number, or alternatively ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can remain anonymous.