FARNHAM’S much-loved Christmas decorations have come under assault from “mindless” vandals over the past week, with both Gostrey Meadow and Lion and Lamb Yard targeted.

The town council has been forced to install a new bright-orange CCTV camera in the otherwise picturesque Gostrey Meadow after a group of hooded youths ripped the fairy lights off the community Christmas tree overnight on Wednesday, December 14, and again on Saturday, December 17.

On the second occasion, the vandals also tore the lights off the meadow’s bandstand, just hours before it was set to stage the celebratory Farnham in Bloom carol concert, and sliced the electrical cables.

Both times the youths, who are believed to have been intoxicated at the time of the offences, were disturbed by the town council’s lights contractor and ran away.

A photo of the culprits fleeing Gostrey Meadow after the second incident at around 2.30am shows four young people wearing hooded jackets - including one with distinctive red, white and navy/black stripes.

In total, their actions have cost the town council - and therefore taxpayers - around £1,600 in contractor fees and replacement lights.

Iain Lynch, Farnham town clerk, said: “These were mindless acts of vandalism and the people who did it are depriving other people in the town of the enjoyment that the lights bring at Christmas time, and diverting resources from being spent on other more important things.

“We have cameras in place now to capture any repeat offences and will not hesitate to prosecute. 2016 has seen an alarming increase in the amount of vandalism around the town, and we can only hope the situation improves in 2017.”

The town council’s storage depot was also targeted earlier this month, when masked thieves managed to force their way in overnight and steal a number of tools before also being disturbed by council contractors and fleeing.

Farnham Town Council estimates the cost of replacing the tools and repairing the damage at up to £6,000 - depriving the community of further precious funds.

In addition, the Christmas tree lights in Lion and Lamb Yard have been vandalised three times in the past fortnight - at 2am on Saturday, December 10, at 8.35pm on Wednesday, December 14, and at 11.55pm on Friday, December 16, by groups of between town and six youths.

Daniel Rabin, on behalf of the yard’s landlords Wolfe Property Services Ltd, said in a letter to shopkeepers: “There are clear CCTV images of these people and we have reported them to the police.

“We are certain these youths are local, as they walk and cycle down the yard. They need to be caught as this anti-social behaviour is unacceptable, costly and completely mindless. Hopefully they will be recognised by people working and shopping in the yard.

“For the moment we are in two minds if we should repair the lights because they are immediately vandalised, which is a shame for everyone.”

Waverley Borough Council, which recently committed £5,000 to secure the Redgrave Theatre following an increase in anti-social behaviour, has also expressed concerns about the impact “certain individuals” are having on the community.

It came as the council confirmed plans to replace the wooden railings on the the bridge over the River Wey in Gostrey Meadow with stronger oak slats following repeated incidents of vandals kicking them out this year.

The bridge has been made safe with unattractive plastic netting since the latest of these incidents in late October, after which Waverley confirmed it was working with Surrey Police to explore options to improve security at Gostrey Meadow.

A Waverley spokesman said: “While the netting on the bridge is unattractive, so are the effects of anti-social behaviour. However, the council has a responsibility to put these interim measures in place to ensure the safety of the public until the bridge can be fixed permanently.

“We have looked at the option of installing a metal bridge but it is not a financially viable option. The council has opted to repair the bridge using oak slats, which are stronger and harder to break. They are on order and will be installed as soon as they arrive - hopefully later this week.”

Anyone with information related to any of the above incidents is urged to call the police on 101 or 999 if in an emergency. Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.