An inflatable Santa Claus was punctured and wires on Christmas lights were cut in a spate of Scrooge-like incidents of criminal damage in five Suffolk villages.

Officers are appealing for information about at least a dozen reported incidents that they believe are linked, and which happened between the evening of 5 and 6 December. Suffolk police said no arrests had been made.

CCTV footage of one of the incidents shows a balaclava-clad man approach a home in the village of Combs and cut a wire on a display of colourful lights, plunging them into darkness.

The man, described as wearing a North Face jacket, was one of two men who approached the property.

There were also reports of criminal damage in the villages of Great Finborough, Onehouse, Stanningfield and Battisford.

A projector for lighting was stolen and a cable for lights was cut in a reported incident in Great Finborough between 8pm and 9.30pm on 5 December, while an inflatable Father Christmas was punctured and a cable for Christmas lights was cut in Onehouse between 8.20pm and 8.30pm on the same evening.

Lights were also cut at a neighbouring property and a person was spotted leaving the area. They were described as having dark hair and wearing a light-coloured cap, a light-coloured T-shirt, shorts and white trainers, and a leather bag with one strap around the body.

In an incident at The Green in Stanningfield, between 6.30pm and 9pm on 5 December, 12 sets of lights were cut, as well as lights to the village Christmas tree.

PC Simon Lant, of Suffolk police, said: “Why someone decided to carry out this period of mindless vandalism is not clear but it has brought hurt, as well as a financial cost, to many residents in the area, depriving those living and visiting in these areas of the colour and joy that these lights bring to people, young and old. If anyone has any information about who might be responsible, please contact police.”

He urged anyone with CCTV or doorbell cameras in the affected areas to review their footage for anything that may be relevant. Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk police by calling 101 or by emailing cccidentifysuffolk.police.uk.