A leading councillor has said the culprit who stretched wire at head height across a cycling path was playing a “lethal game”.

East Anglian Daily Times: Members of the public reported a wire across the cycle path in Mead Drive, Kesgrave.Members of the public reported a wire across the cycle path in Mead Drive, Kesgrave. (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Police are warning cyclists and pedestrians in Kesgrave to be vigilant after three pieces of wire were found in the town on Sunday evening.

Christopher Hudson, chairman of Suffolk County Council and Kesgrave division representative, said: “I’m absolutely shocked and appalled that this has happened.

“It is extremely dangerous and I think they should be made an example of, it’s a lethal game they are playing there.

“Someone could have been killed and you wouldn’t get another chance.”

Around 8.30pm on Sunday, a member of the public discovered the wire stretched across the cycle path in Mead Drive and a second piece was also discovered, police said.

A third piece of wire was found across a footpath near Ropes Drive.

Kevin Ablitt, a member of cycle campaigning group, Cycle Ipswich and owner of bike repair business, The Bicycle Doctor, said it was “absolutely outrageous” that anyone could do such a thing to someone they did not know, and he hoped the offender was found as soon as possible.

He added: “Police were talking about threat to pedestrians but they are not going to be moving at the speed of cyclists, you could be going from 15–20 miles per hour on a bike.

“It would be enough to badly hurt the face or throat or it could throw you backwards and crack your head on the ground.”

Anna Matthews, Cycle Ipswich member and mother-of-four who gave up her car three years ago, said she found it “shocking” that this had happened in Kesgrave.

“I can’t believe it, if anything I thought Kesgrave was more accepting of cyclists,” she said.

“There seems to be a real dislike for cyclists and I don’t understand why, It’s very disappointing.”

Mrs Matthews said her husband Cliff had found broken glass in cycle paths in Ipswich in the past which seemed to be placed there on purpose and that it was crimes like this that discouraged children from cycling to school.

“Lots of young people in Kesgrave go to school on their bikes,” she added. “As a parent how would you feel about letting your children do that if they are at risk of being hurt?”

PC Simon Mortimer from the Kesgrave and District Safer Neighbourhood Team, said this extremely dangerous and irresponsible act could cause serious injury to cyclists and pedestrians.

“We are appealing for anyone who has information about this mindless act to contact us to prevent further incidents and someone being injured,” he added.

To help, contact Suffolk police on 101 quoting reference WO/15/472, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.