Two teenage boys aged 13 and 14 have admitted smashing dozens of streetlights across north Lowestoft, using a home-made catapult.

Police confirmed this week that nearly 80 lamps were broken on Boxing Day – double the number initially reported damaged.

A Suffolk police spokesman said lights in the Yarmouth Road, Harris Avenue, Europa Road and Minos Road area had been smashed and the resulting investigation had led to two youngsters being spoken to by officers.

'Two teenage boys – a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old – have been interviewed in connection with damage caused to more than 50 street lights in December,' she said.

'They were brought in for questioning after information was passed to officers and in interviews both admitted causing the damage. It's thought a home-made catapult was used.'

She added: 'The two boys have been reported and will be dealt with by police in due course.'

The Journal understands that the teenagers have also admitted the theft of a number of doorbells from homes in the area. These include incidents in Tedder Road, Harris Avenue, Mountbatten Road, Peddars Way and Myloden Road earlier in January.

Police will decide what action to take in the next few weeks.

Responsibility for streetlighting in Lowestoft is shared between Suffolk County Council and the Highways Authority, depending on the location and a team of engineers assessed the damage earlier this month.

The repairs – which could have cost thousands of pounds – will be covered under a deal with a private contractor.

A county council spokesman said: 'Following an investigation carried out by the highways department, we can confirm that 78 lamps have been damaged. However, there should not be any additional cost for the repair work as vandalism is included within our contract with maintenance provider Carillion.'