Phone mast is vandalised

Mast location is a contentious issue

A telecommunications mast has been vandalised in County Tyrone.

The mast, which stands in the Upper Cranlome Road area of Ballygawley, was cut down at about 1700 GMT on Saturday.

The mast forms part of Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) communication system.

A spokeswoman for the company said the vandals had put themselves at risk and left the company's communication system vulnerable.

Local residents said the erection of the mast was responsible for cancer-related illnesses in the area.

Police in Dungannon are investigating the incident.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who was in the Upper Cranlome Road area at the time of the incident and who saw any suspicious activity to contact them.

Many communities across Northern Ireland have campaigned against phone masts over fears that low level radiation could pose a health risk to people living near the ariels.