VANDALS opened a death-trap when they attacked lampposts in Weymouth.

Armed with tools, a gang ripped open the covers of nine street lights and tried to cut cables, risking the threat of electrocution.

Deadly wires were left hanging out following the vandalism in Wyke Regis.

Police said the damage happened in Camp Road, Lea Road, North Road and Cunningham Close.

PC Geoff Calloway, Homebeat officer for Wyke, is now appealing to the community for help in a bid to trace the culprits.

He said: "The people responsible for these reckless and wanton acts of vandalism were putting themselves and innocent members of the public at risk of electrocution.

"It is amazing that anyone would do something that is potentially so dangerous."

Mark Gooding, street light engineer with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said there was a permanent live electricity supply to the street lights and the supply is far more dangerous than a domestic 240-volt system.

He added: "Touching the live wires could prove fatal and it surprises me that no-one was injured."

Police explored the theory that the lights were put out of action to make it easy for criminals operating at night, but PC Calloway said no incidents happened in the area at the time so it was probably a case of malicious damage.

Inspector Tony Rudd, West Weymouth police commander, was also quick to condemn the vandalism, saying: "It is hard to comprehend the thinking behind this.

"The people involved obviously had no idea of how much danger they were putting themselves in when committing these acts of criminal damage."

PC Calloway is appealing for anyone with information about the lamppost attacks, which happened at night over last weekend, to contact police as soon as possible on 01305 222500. He would particularly like to hear from people who may have witnessed the damage being done or seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

Anyone who sees a damaged street light should not touch it and instead report it to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council on 01305 838283.