Town's Christmas lights removed after vandalism

Vandals have cut down a stretch of Christmas lights just four days after they were put up.

The festive decorations had been put up on a dark stretch of Riverside Walk in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, on 28 November but were vandalised on 4 December.

Kateland Burbidge, co-owner of Burbidge Electrical Contractors which put up the lights, said: "Already it has cost us a couple of hundred pounds and they've only been up since Friday.

"We have taken them down at the moment as we haven't got enough surplus lights. We're going to see what options we have and if we can bring them back if not."

This is the second year the lights on Riverside Walk have been vandalised - last year similar damage cost £1,000 in repair work.

Ms Burbidge added: "When we found out that the same had happened again, it was really sad and deeply disappointing.

"We get a lot of really good feedback [due to having lights] along that stretch of the river as it's particularly dark during the winter months.

"I always say it is like a pebble in the pond effect. This doesn't just affect us who install it, it affects many people in the town."

A spokesperson from Bradford-on-Avon Town Council, said: "It's disheartening to see something enjoyed by so many spoiled by the actions of a few.

"Frustratingly, the lights have been damaged both years they've been up – and replacing them takes time and public money."

Burbidge Electrical Contractors has provided lights for Bradford-on-Avon for the last 13 years, with vandalism to the lights reported each year except during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

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