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'Why would someone destroy our Christmas lights?'

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A man standing in front of a brown fence with foliage growing over it smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black cap with a black coat. He has a red polo top on underneath. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Luke McGann enjoys decorating his home at Christmas for nearby residents to view

Residents have expressed confusion and upset after balaclava-clad vandals cut their homes' Christmas lights.

Suffolk Police is investigating after 11 reported incidents of Christmas lights being cut at properties, including one captured on camera.

The spate of vandalism took place overnight from 5 to 6 December in Onehouse, Great Finborough, Stanningfield, Battisford and Combs.

Luke McGann, from Great Finborough, was targeted and said he was "gutted".

Luke McGann An image of Christmas string lights resting on a concrete floor. The black strings have been cut and separated. Luke McGann
Mr McGann's lights were cut during strong winds in Suffolk last week

"We normally do it for the kids in the village so when they come from school they enjoy seeing it in the evening time," he said about putting his display up each Christmas.

"We get a lot of attraction from people coming past to have a look at our display of lights."

During strong winds last week, Mr McGann said he noticed his lights had gone out at some point between 20:00 and 21:00 GMT.

He went outside to investigate and found the wires had been cut, while his snowfall projector had also been stolen.

Luke McGann A bungalow is pictured at night with multi-coloured Christmas lights around it. Other lights are projected onto the garden grass in front of the home. Luke McGann
Mr McGann hopes those responsible for cutting his home's lights are found soon

"To think that someone can have the audacity to come on to your property, go up to your front door and cut all the wires," he continued.

"To think they want to spoil all the fun for those who want to celebrate Christmas.

"It's a shame that people think they've got the right to come out and destroy a bit of fun.

"It's devastating and I just hope they have a conscience or they get found fairly soon by the police."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC An elderly man smiles at the camera while standing in front of a home and tree. He is wearing dark glasses, a green coat, with a red jumper and shirt on underneath. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
John Emsden has been decorating his home in Onehouse since about 1990

John Emsden has lived in Onehouse since 1987 and has been placing Christmas lights on his home for about 34 years.

"I put them up mainly for the village really because when people walk or drive through the village it's a nice Christmas feel for them," he said.

"I have no lights left now. Altogether they've cut about 12 lines [of lights]... they just cut them through.

"I feel terrible really, I didn't expect anything like this to happen after I've been putting them up since roughly 1990.

"This is the first time I've ever had anything like this."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A cut black Christmas string light is pictured hanging from a tree. A garden and other trees can be seen in the background. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Mr Emsden lost 12 lines of Christmas lights after they were cut
Shaun Whitmore/BBC A woman with shoulder length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing clear glasses with a brown camouflage coat. Christmas trees are pictured behind her. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Ruth Duchesne urged those responsible not to continue vandalising decorations

Ruth Duchesne, a parish councillor from Stanningfield, said decorated trees in the village also had their lights cut.

"I don't understand why someone would want to do such a thing," Ms Duchesne said.

"The village looks beautiful, it's part of a celebration and I don't understand why and who would have the time? It's pointless.

"All the hard work that goes into funding the lights and putting them together as a community... I don't know why."

Ms Duchesne urged those responsible not to continue with the spate after they "spoilt" the festive period for "a lot of people".

Contributed A large blow up Santa Claus decoration with two smaller snowmen next to it after pictured lit up in front of a home. More Christmas lights are decorated on the home along with a bush.Contributed
A Onehouse resident, who wished to remain anonymous, had their 8ft (2.4.) Santa decoration cut

Doorbell footage during one of the incidents showed a balaclava-clad man sneaking up before cutting festive lights on one home.

Other affected residents have reported two men cutting the lights.

Police believe the incidents are linked and investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made.

PC Simon Lant encouraged anyone with information to contact the force.

"Why someone decided to carry out this period of mindless vandalism is not clear but it has brought hurt, as well as a financial cost, to many residents in the area, depriving those living and visiting in these areas of the colour and joy that these lights bring to people, young and old," he said.

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Shaun Whitmore/BBC A view of a village square with a tall sign that reads "Stanningfield". A tree next to it can be seen while homes are in the background along with a village green. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Trees decorated with lights in Stanningfield have been targeted by vandals

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