Avon and Somerset Police are calling on landowners and walkers to be on the look-out for anyone causing criminal damage to fences in the Bath area.
There have been a number of incidents, which have occurred mainly in the Lansdown and Weston areas, where fencing has been deliberately cut and rolled back and appears to have been done to provide pedestrian access.
The latest confirmed incidents took place in June but there have been 10 reports in total dating back around 18 months and relate to damage in several locations. The incidents have occurred predominantly in the spring and summer months.
PCSO Paul King, who is investigating the series, said: “There have been a number of reports recently and around 12 to 18 months ago we had a similar series which extended as far as Bathampton.
“The fencing being damaged is barbed wire and stock net fencing used to secure boundaries and often used round fields with livestock or horses in them.
“The fences are being cleanly cut, possibly with wire cutters, and in many cases the wire is rolled neatly back as though to allow pedestrian access.”
He added: “These cases of criminal damage could pose a significant safety threat if livestock were to escape onto the road, especially at night.
“The damage is also causing a lot of distress to the victims, who are worried about their livestock escaping, as well as having time and cost implications when repairs have to be made.”
The police are appealing for anyone with information about these incidents to come forward and for the public to report anyone seen acting suspiciously in the area.
The police would also like to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of this type of criminal damage in these areas.
To contact the Bath neighbourhood policing team call non-emergency number 101 or contact them via the police website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
