POLICE are today hunting for vandals who bombarded passing motorists with stolen golf balls from a footbridge over the A14, cracking the windscreen of a lorry.

POLICE are today hunting for vandals who bombarded passing motorists with stolen golf balls from a footbridge over the A14, cracking the windscreen of a lorry.

Detectives said the gang had dumped “a large number” of balls from the bridge, at Haughley, near Stowmarket, and could have caused a fatal accident.

Luckily, the lorry driver was able to keep control of his vehicle after being hit and escaped unhurt.

The incident happened at about 1.30am on Saturday, just after the 50mph zone on the westbound carriageway. The golf balls had been stolen from a golf centre at nearby Onehouse.

Detective inspector Jenny Benham, from Suffolk police, said: “This act had the potential to cause serious injury or even a fatality.

“Fortunately the driver of the lorry was not hurt, he remained in control of his vehicle and was able to steer it to a safe place.

“A large number of golf balls from the centre are yet to be recovered, and I would urge anyone who knows of their whereabouts to contact police immediately to prevent another serious incident.”

The damage comes after a spate of incidents on the A14 in the Asda area of Ipswich on November 5, 8 and 14 last year when stones thrown at passing vehicles, damaging windows.

There were 13 offences in total and three males - aged 13, 16 and 22 - from the town were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, but no further action was taken against them. Officers are not linking the Ipswich and Stowmarket incidents.

Anyone with any information about the incidents should contact Pc Andrew Calver at the Mid Suffolk West Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613500, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

n. Were you in one of the cars that was hit? Contact The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk