Police hunt for thieves who cut Christmas lights down and ‘stabbed’ inflatable Santa

Families who put up Christmas decorations in front of their homes were stunned to wake up and see their lights cut down – and Father Christmas stabbed.

Multiple homes across Combs, Great Finborough, Battisford and Stanningfield in Suffolk were targeted by men in balaclavas.

Police released CCTV footage of one of the men, appearing to wear a North Face jacket, cutting the wires of the festive lights.

Further footage revealed a man leaving a home wearing a light-coloured cap, light t-shirt, shorts and white trainers.

Christmas lights weren’t the only target – an inflatable Santa Claus was stabbed and a light projector was stolen.

Suffolk Police said they believe the incidents, on December 5 and 6, are linked but have made no arrests.

PC Simon Lant said: ‘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.

‘If anyone has any information about who might be responsible, please contact the police.

‘Equally, anyone with CCTV or doorbell cameras in the affected areas is asked to review footage between 5pm and the early hours of December 6 for anything that may be relevant.’

A road in London dubbed the ‘most Christmassy’ for decades has also seen its fair share of drama.

Lower Morden Lane, in Merton, goes out all out year after year to put on an extravagant display of lights and decor.

However, the seemingly light-hearted activity also led to some neighbourhood drama.

One of the residents repeatedly had her lights cut, allegedly by another neighbour, so she can now only put her lights up on the week of Christmas. 

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