The police, public and local government have come together to condemn vandalism of traffic signal detectors across Macclesfield.

Across the third and fourth week of July, multiple units were reported as being smashed and broken across different parts of town.

Traffic signal detectors in both Tytherington and central Macclesfield have been put out of order.

Cheshire Police have not reported any arrests thus far, and it is not known whether all the incidents are by the same perpetrators or whether they are unconnected.

Cllr Craig Browne outside Cheshire East Council. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

Councillor Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council deputy leader and chair of the council's highways and transport committee, said: "This is mindless vandalism which has put lives at risk." 

"These are not enforcement cameras. They are used to enable the safe crossing of roads for pedestrians by detecting oncoming traffic and controlling traffic signals. There is no video recording. The cabinets carrying the power supply have also been damaged, meaning that whoever was responsible has put their own safety at risk.

"Six cabinets have been damaged at an estimated repair cost of up to £15,000, which will have to be funded from our annual highways budget that is already under extreme pressure. Three cabinets have been vandalised twice. This is not acceptable.

"These incidents have been reported to Cheshire Police, and we ask that anyone with information notifies the police so that the person or persons responsible are identified."

In the days since, information has been given out on social media on what the damaged equipment actually does.

Members of the public responded unanimously against the vandalism on social media. "It doesn't really matter what they are," said a user of the social media site X.

"This is criminal damage."

"What kind of sick person does that? I hate seeing infrastructure damaged like that," added another.

For more information about Macclesfield's roads, head to the Cheshire East Highways website.

Cheshire Police concluded: "Anyone with information on the incidents should contact Cheshire Police on 101. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

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