A SPATE of vandalism in Tavistock could mean an end to the Christmas decorations in Paddon's Row.
Gaily coloured lights brightening the entranceway were torn down over the weekend and bulbs smashed, but this was only the latest in a series of incidents that are costing local businesses time and money — traders in Paddon's Row are thinking seriously of ending the tradition.
Lorna Legg, of Tavistock Cycles, told the Times on Monday: 'This morning all the lights had been ripped down from their fixings and all the lightbulbs were stolen. We just spent the last hour putting it all back up and making it safe.'
Mrs Legg said it was a recurring problem: 'We had bulbs stolen last week, but this week they pulled the wiring down as well. It's infuriating when we are trying to make the town look that much nicer for Christmas and these mindless vandals just come along and rip it all down.'
The traders have spent more than £25 on replacement bulbs so far and still have a further four weeks before twelfth night, when traditionally the decorations are taken down.
'We are having to think very carefully about having lights up there next year. We want to make it look appealing to shoppers, especially on a dull winter's day, but we can't risk this level of vandalism,' said Mrs Legg.
The vandals struck sometime between 6pm Saturday December 4 and 8am Monday December 6. If anyone has any information please contact Tavistock police.