Grinch-like thief steals town's Christmas lights

Christmas is looking a little less bright in one south Wales town, after festive lights were pilfered from two street displays over the weekend.

The Grinch-like thief - or thieves - made off with 70 metres (230ft) of lights from two displays in Blaina, Blaenau Gwent - leaving residents in the town feeling humbugged by their unseasonal activity.

Nantyglo & Blaina Town council said the lights - worth around £150 - were taken from two locations in Blaina, including a tree within the grounds of a church.

Gwent Police said officers were working to "identify a suspect and locate the stolen equipment".

"This is so disappointing and upsetting - the lights are put up for the whole community to enjoy at Christmas," said a spokesperson for the town council, in a statement on Facebook.

With a total of about three miles of lights strung across the two towns, the thefts had only left "two small areas" bare, said town clerk Tracy Hughes.

But it has robbed the town of some its Christmas spirit.

"It appears they were taken because they felt the were able to take them," added Hughes, highlighting the challenge of protecting outdoor Christmas displays from theft.

The stolen lights were taken from displays near Blaina Institute and in the grounds of St Peter's Church on High Street, sometime between the evening of Friday 12 December and the morning of Sunday 14 December.

The lights were manufactured by a brand called Connect Pro, which is not sold on the High Street, said Hughes.

Even though the loss is relatively small, at £150, she said the council would have to "think carefully" about purchasing expensive Christmas displays in future, given the theft.

Gwent Police has appealed to the public for help identifying the culprit.