Post boxes blown up in damage spree across west Wiltshire (From Wiltshire Times)

Post boxes blown up in damage spree across west Wiltshire

9:11am Wednesday 4th November 2009 in News By Craig Evry

A series of post boxes across west Wiltshire towns have been blown up by vandals using fireworks.

Wiltshire Police have launched an inquiry after 12 boxes were damaged between Hallowe'en and Sunday in Melksham and Trowbridge.

In all the incidents, members of the public reported hearing loud bangs and finding post boxes on fire. All of them were either completely destroyed or had their fronts blown off.

It is believed that the fires were started by fireworks.

The affected post boxes are in: Goodes Hill, Whitley; Blackmore Road, Melksham; Horse Road, Hilperton Marsh; St Mary’s Gardens, Hilperton Marsh; Newleaze, Hilperton; Hill Street, Trowbridge; Wyke Road, Trowbridge; Frome Road, Trowbridge; Victoria Road, Trowbridge; St Thomas Road, Trowbridge; Kingsdown Road, Trowbridge and Brook Road, Trowbridge Wiltshire Police said the destruction of the post boxes and their contents amounted to criminal damage with important letters and documents destroyed.

Royal Mail is arranging to replace the boxes.

Anyone who believes their items of mail may have been destroyed should contact the Royal Mail through their local sorting office.

Hazel Brinkworth, from the local crime investigation team, said: “Local enquiries are continuing, and I am confident that someone, somewhere, will know who is responsible for these offences.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the targeted areas at the time of these offences and may have seen or heard anything suspicious, and would ask those persons to contact me as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call the Crime Management Unit at Melksham on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

If you think your mail has been lost or if you heard any of the post boxes being blown up please also call our newsdesk on 01225 773638