Week-long attack on street lighting by vandals

A number of street lights in Swansea have been shut down to stop the risk of people getting potentially lethal electric shocks

Vandals have struck twice in one week in Penlan and Blaenymaes and up to five times in Bonymaen in the last two weeks. The vandals have removed the front panels from the street lights and have forced Swansea Council to shut the power off to them while they're repaired.

The vandalism occured in the Milford Way area of Blaenymaes and in Bonymaen and the affected lights are in Pentrechwyth Road, Brokesby Road and Dartford Road.

The Council is estimating the damage to be around £2,000 so far and has warned the public not to tamper with any of the lighting columns if they see they are damaged.

Council Officers are now working with local police to try and identify the culprits and to prevent any more from being damaged.

John Hague, Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council, said: "It's beyond belief that anyone would want to risk their own lives and those of others by carrying out these acts of vandalism.

"Our maintenance teams have visited the same sites up to five times in the last week to carry out repairs and shut down individual lights. The last resort will be to remove these lights completely to safeguard the public but that is not an ideal situation.

"Residents must come forward if they know who is responsible for the vandalism."

The Council has confirmed it has removed fuses from 12 lamp posts to leave them shut down until replacement covers are in place.

Trudi Meyrick, South Wales Police Acting Inspector for Eastside, said: "The individuals who are committing this mindless vandalism are not only putting themselves in great danger but are also putting residents living in the streets at risk.

"It is also an inconvenience for residents to have to live without some street lighting- in particular the elderly who rely on street lighting whilst out during the hours of darkness. I would urge anyone with information that could help in identifying the people causing the damage to come forward."