WRECKERS and thieves are endangering the lives of the elderly by sabotaging safety devices, it is claimed.

Dorset County Council has hit out angrily at vandals who ripped up a Vehicle Activated Sign, designed to cut accident rates on rural roads.

The VAS was installed at a dangerous spot outside Ashley Wood Park, Tarrant Keyneston.

Just days later the VAS - which differs from the more familiar mobile SID (Speed Indicator Device) in being a permanent structure and in only flashing when motorists break the speed limit - was cut down.

Its wind turbine, solar panels and batteries were stolen and the rest left in a field.

The incident followed the theft of a SID from Okeford Fitzpaine which disappeared last month but has since turned up again, and another at Three Legged Cross earlier in the year.

Transportation portfolio holder Angus Campbell said such actions sabotaged important road safety efforts. This is a pointless act which endangers road users on our country roads and costs us all money," he said.

"A surprisingly large number of people live within Ashley Wood Park and the entrance has a very difficult junction with the road.

"There are a number of elderly people who have to negotiate this entrance in cars or to cross the road to the bus stop.

"Working together with the parish council the county council set to work on securing a VAS and obtained an eco-friendly version powered by wind and solar power.

"The whole process took well over a year to sort out, but within five days of its installation the sign was destroyed.

"When I think of the potential for enhancing public safety which resulted from the honest effort of this partnership and see it destroyed in a matter of minutes for the sake of devilment and small-time gain, I feel frustration and anger.

"This is the work of thieves and destroyers who care nothing for others.

"Not only have they destroyed an expensive piece of equipment but they have also directly endangered those whose lives it was placed there to protect."

First published: October 28