A funfair has re-opened after metal thieves hacked off the rides’ electrical wires.

The theme park at the Strand Leisure Park, Gillingham, is now offering a £2,000 reward after the theft last night.

General manager Monty Hammond, pictured, said the business had been in his family for four generations and it was the first time he had experienced such a crime.

Thieves used what appeared to be hacksaws to chop through high-voltage wires more than an inch thick.

“It’s a new low,” the 67-year-old said. “The cables would hardly have any scrap value but they will cost up to £5,000 for me to replace.

“We’re stepping up security and we want the culprits found to stop this happening to anyone else. Fortunately we have borrowed cables from colleagues and we are back up and running this afternoon.”

He added: “It affects families and children, as well as interrupting our family-run business in a year that has already been compromised with very wet weather.”

Mr Hammond said it would have taken “considerable effort” to dismantle the complex network of cables at the World Travelling Theme Park Experience.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the theft, which occurred between 10pm yesterday and 2am today, after they found cables in a “suspicious vehicle” shortly afterwards.

A spokesman said: “Officers on routine patrols spotted a suspicious vehicle in The Strand area. The suspects made off on foot from the patrols but the vehicle was seized, and contained a quantity of cable, which was also seized. Enquiries are continuing to trace the suspects.

The travelling funfair, which has been at the Strand since July 20 and is due to remain until September 2, is offering £2,000 to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction.

If you have information call police on 101, quoting crime reference XY/23561/12.

Were you at the funfair today? Leave your comments below.