Reckless thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of lighting from a “magnificent” Moray bridge are thought to have electrocuted themselves during the “completely outrageous” crime.
Police are carrying out inquiries around the Landshut Bridge in Elgin, which helps the town celebrate Remembrance Sunday, when the lights have been used to bathe it in poppy red.
The bridge has, however, suffered from repeated attacks in recent years and locals have bemoaned the fact that repairs will once again use up public funds.
Four £1,000 lighting units – which had been hailed as “vandal proof” – were taken from the crossing between March 15 and April 5 and specialist engineers believe whoever stole them may have been injured by electricity when they cut through the cables.
The £6million bridge, which was named in honour of Elgin’s twin town in Bavaria, was opened in 2014 as part of a flood relief scheme.
But just under a year later in April 2015, the bridge was plunged into darkness after vandals sprayed graffiti over its underside and damaged electrical fixtures, prompting CCTV to be installed at the bridge to deter any further crime later.
Soon after, Moray council approached the lighting company Pulsar to provide what the architectural awards group Darc described as a “custom vandal-proof solution” to illuminate the bridge, when it was shortlisted for the title of “Best Exterior Lighting Scheme – Low Budget” in 2016.
The awards group described it as an “iconic structure” that is “not only spectacular in the day but also magnificent by night”.
The specialist lights are able to change colour to mark certain special dates and events.
Graham Leadbitter, councillor for Elgin City South, said: “The investment in the Landshut bridge was not only a major investment in the flood alleviation scene, but also an investment into a bridge with high architectural qualities and the lighting of the bridge has clearly improved the aesthetics of the area around the cathedral.
“The fact that someone has seen fit to steal expensive lighting from it, on what is quite a busy road, is quite frankly completely outrageous.
“This criminal act will use up valuable public funds that could otherwise be spent on worthy causes.
“I would appeal for anyone who knows anything about this extremely frustrating crime to phone the police.”
A spokesman for Moray Council added: “The industrial Pulsar Chroma Flood 100 LED lights, used to illuminate the bridge in various colours, were removed between March 15 and April 5.
“Each light cost £1,000.
“Cables and a security chain were cut through to remove them and the theft is now being investigated by police.
“Engineers inspecting the damage say that it is possible the thieves suffered an electric shock when the cables were disconnected.”
Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the lights, or who are offered such lights for sale, should contact Police Scotland on 101.
