A Royal Mail postbox on Bowscar Road, near Penrith
Dangerous explosives have been used by vandals to blow up post boxes in Cumbria.
A host of post boxes have been targeted in attacks during the past month, with police describing the crimes as a worrying trend.
Those behind them have been condemned, not just for destroying mail and the boxes, but for the danger they’re putting postal workers and those posting letters in.
Officers are now investigating the incidents – Royal Mail are aware of four in the Penrith area – with the latest happening on Friday.
There were two incidents last week in the villages of Hackthorpe and Clifton Dykes with vandals dropping explosives known as crowbangers into post boxes there.
The doors then flew off the post boxes, causing vast amounts of damage.
Mail was also destroyed while it was in the post box in Hackthorpe.
No mail was in the box in Clifton Dykes.
Another similar incident that happened in Bowscar Road, Bowscar, to the north of Penrith, was reported to police on Wednesday last week.
A police spokesman said that they were aware of several incidents.
He added: “It’s an ongoing trend and we are investigating. It’s quite rare but it is something that we need to nip in the bud.”
Royal Mail spokeswoman Ronit Wolfson said: “We can confirm that four postboxes in the Penrith area were damaged beyond repair this month due to vandalism involving fireworks.
“These mindless acts of violence are exceptionally dangerous, putting both our customers and our postmen and women at risk.
“Thankfully, nobody was hurt but we are working closely with police and taking these incidents extremely seriously.”
The spokeswoman said that two of the four post boxes – in Sparket Cross Road, Greystoke, and Bowscar – had now been replaced and are back in service.
“The other two will be replaced as soon as possible,” she added.
“Any customers whose postbox has been affected can post mail at their local Post Office, delivery office or directly to their postman or woman on delivery.”
Royal Mail has not said how much repairing the damage from the attacks will cost.
Anyone with information about those responsible should call Cumbria police on 101.