'Why would someone destroy our Christmas lights?'

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".

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.

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."

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."

Mr Emsden lost 12 lines of Christmas lights after they were cut

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".

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.

Trees decorated with lights in Stanningfield have been targeted by vandals