Their first thought is not to do something positive. Their first thought is: the paramedic’s busy, here is a chance to nick some stuff.

While it is difficult to comprehend the pondlife mentality of anybody who would stoop so low, there are, unfortunately, people out there in Shropshire who do think and act in exactly that way.

It happened in Whitchurch. A paramedic was responding to a 999 emergency in St Mary’s Street. While she was busy dealing with the patient, with her back turned, somebody got into her marked paramedic ambulance car – there can be no doubt that the culprit knew exactly what they were doing – and stole a rucksack from the passenger seat.

As crimes go, this is scraping the bottom of the barrel. One of society’s heroines was going about her work helping somebody in dire need. Then somebody from the other end of society’s spectrum came along and cynically and selfishly took advantage in the most despicable fashion.

They should be ashamed of themselves, but more likely will be congratulating themselves on their good luck.

Make a note of the items stolen. Apart from about £97, they included a pink leather wallet, an Apple iPhone, driving licence, glasses, bank cards, and various pieces of paperwork.

If you saw anyone acting suspiciously, or know somebody in Whitchurch area who has unexpectedly gained an Apple iPhone since last Friday, the police would be interested to hear from you.

Catching this thief will do society, and the thief themselves, a service.

Because one way of altering the twisted workings of their mind is implanting the knowledge that they will not get away with it.