POLICE are hunting “reckless” criminals who strung a washing line across Main Street in Sutton in the dead of night.

It was suspended at chest height and posed a serious risk to passing bikers and cyclists. The green plastic line was discovered by a member of the public at 11pm on February 12, near the junction with Albert Street.

Insp Geoff Crocker said: “Placing something of this nature across a road where it could cause serious injury to a cyclist or motorcyclist or potentially damage a vehicle is utterly reckless.”

He added under Section 22A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a criminal offence to intentionally take action (such as putting an obstruction in the road) that caused potential danger to someone on or near a road. The maximum sentence is seven years in prison. Insp Crocker added: “We are all very fortunate a member of the public removed the line before anyone was injured, and I would like to thank that person for their common sense and swift action.”

Contact Cross Hills Police on 101 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 12150024665.