A SPEED camera in Kirkby Lonsdale has been sabotaged, causing £30,000 worth of damage.

Police are appealing for information after the permanent roadside safety camera facing Eastbound on the A65 at Devil's Bridge had its camera post cut, possibly by a portable grinder, overnight on January 9.

Kevin Tea, safety camera scheme manager, said: "This anti-social act is putting people's lives at risk and is highly irresponsible.

“Since the safety cameras started operating in 2003 there has been a steady reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the county's roads. In 2008 we saw the lowest number of fatal accidents for more than 20 years.

“What the individual who committed this act does not realise is that speeding offences captured on the camera are transmitted immediately to our back office system. Removing the camera does not remove the offence so the Constabulary will be seeing who has been through at excessive speed and checking out those drivers who have been caught."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 33 00 247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.