An area on the outskirts of Glastonbury suffered an internet outage over the weekend after 5G protesters mistook broadband equipment for a mobile network transmitter.

A number of people in the Wick and Norwood Park hamlets were left with little to no internet after vandals protesting about 5G damaged the broadband equipment at Paddington Farm, after mistaking it for a mobile network transmitter.

Voneus, who provide superfast internet to the locality and other parts of rural UK, have reported the incident to the police and restored the connection to the area.

Adam Goodman, project manager at Voneus Broadband, said: "This is a clear case of lack of knowledge and understanding.

"The vandals disrupted their community thinking they were sticking it to 5G or fifth generation mobile technology, where in fact they damaged a 5GHz broadband transmitter instead. The act was not only criminal but also completely pointless and did nothing for their protest."

The culprits had allegedly boasted about their actions by leaving a sign opposite the Rifleman's Arms pub in Glastonbury saying: "Check out the 5G at Paddington Farm."

The equipment has since been repaired by Voneus and CCTV has been installed to monitor the area.

The police are investigating the matter and anyone with any information is asked to contact them as soon as possible.

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