‘Spiteful’ Scrooge-style attackers are being hunted by the police after cutting down dozens of Christmas lights put up in tribute to lost loved ones.
Hundreds of sets of lights were displayed on trees across Mexborough, South Yorkshire, by The Spirit of Mexborough community group.
Residents paid £20 each for a set of lights to be put up and dedicated to lost loved ones, with poignant handwritten messages and names attached.
But they were attacked just four days after they were switched on.
Bev Chapman, 56, vice chair of the The Spirit of Mexborough and co-organiser of the light displays, told of being ‘heartbroken’ when sent a picture showing a string of lights slashed in two around the foot of a tree.
Between 15 and 20 sets across three different locations suffered the same fate, grandmother-of-two Mrs Chapman said, with replacements costing about £200.
She said that the vandal’s ‘bah humbug’ attitude and lack of Christmas spirit showed ‘disrespect and a lack of empathy’.
South Yorkshire police have now launched an investigation and released CCTV footage of two men they want to talk to in connection with attacks on December 12.
Vandals cut the wires of the Christmas lights after they had been hung up in memory of lost loved ones by the community
Vice chair of the Spirit of Mexborough community group Bev Champman (Pictured far right) was ‘heartbroken’ to see the lights had been cut
Poignant messages were stuck to the lights in memory of loved ones who have died
The men are described as white, around 20 years old, of slim build and around 5ft 8in tall.
Mrs Chapman said: ‘I’m heartbroken because to think there’s such disrespect and lack of empathy, it’s awful.
‘The wires have been cut and boxes where the batteries go have been taken as well.
‘It’s someone who is clearly not in the Christmas spirit and saying ‘bah humbug’. It looks like an organised thing.
‘There are tags with handwritten messages on these trees and that makes it even more poignant.
‘We wanted the police to be aware so they can be on the look-out during their patrols.’
Lucy Matthews, 37, bought a set of lights to be put up outside her dad’s house as a tribute to his sister and parents who have passed away.
She said: ‘I’m devastated. I thought it would be nice for my dad to look out and see the lights but now someone has cut the power to them.
South Yorkshire Police released this CCTV photo of two men they want to speak to in connection with the ‘disgusting’ attack
The Spirit of Mexborough community group teamed up with a local construction company to put up the lights in the area.
Lucy Matthews said: ‘They looked stunning. I helped turn them on and it was quite emotional so for someone to go and ruin it is disgusting’
‘They looked stunning. I helped turn them on and it was quite emotional so for someone to go and ruin it is disgusting.
‘If it was to take the batteries they could have removed them but they’ve cut or ripped them off so all the lights would need to be replaced.’
Mrs Chapman said The Spirit of Mexborough teamed up with a local construction company to put up the lights in the area.
She wrote on Facebook: ‘Whoever you are, do you realise it isn’t me you’re spiting? It’s the residents and children of Mexborough that’s missing out.
‘I have been sent a photo of lights that have been cut […]. Why? Just why?’
One commented: ‘If anyone knows them, name and shame. It’s unbelievable this is happening.’
A second said: ‘That’s miserable. After all the effort you all put in.’
Another wrote : ‘Idiots with nothing better to do.’
Mrs Chapman took to social media to express her anger at the vandals. her post got 85 reactions and nearly 50 comments
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: ‘We have released a CCTV image of two men we would like to speak to in connection with a report of criminal damage to Christmas lights in the Mexborough area of Doncaster.
It has been reported to us that a series of lights, which were hung up to trees in memory of loved ones who have sadly passed away, have been damaged.
‘Wiring which powered the lights has been cut, with battery packs also stolen.
‘An investigation was launched and following numerous enquiries, we are now releasing a CCTV image of two men we would like to speak to as we believe they may be able to help us with our investigation.
‘They’re described as being white, around 20 years old, of a slim build, and around 5ft 8ins tall. Do you recognise either of these men?
‘If you can help, you can pass information to police online or by calling 101. Please quote the investigation number 14/209609/25 when you get in touch. You can contact us online via our reporting portal.
‘Alternatively if you prefer not to give your personal details, you can stay anonymous and pass on what you know by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers.
‘Call their UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111 or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form on the Crimestoppers website.’