A DISABLED man was knocked from his wheelchair twice in a week by a deadly fishing-line trap set across the seafront promenade.

The length of wire was strung up across the promenade, not far from Frinton Golf Club.

It was tied between street furniture on either side of the seafront footpath, creating an almost invisible and dangerous hazard about three-and-a-half feet off the ground.

Police believe it was set up deliberately in an attempt to knock cyclists off their bikes.

It was reported to officers by a wheelchair-bound man who fell victim to the vicious trip wire.

The man is in training for a wheelchair triathlon and builds up high speeds along the seafront.

He was caught across the chest by the wire and knocked out of his wheelchair twice in one week, at two different spots along the promenade.

The victim managed to escape major injury, but police say the fishing line attacks could be potentially deadly and have pledged to put an end to them.

A spokesman said: “We think this is appalling behaviour and will not tolerate it.

“If the line was higher could have gone across the neck of the victim causing serious injury.

“Police will pay attention to the area and anybody caught doing this will be dealt with.”

Mayor Iris Johnson slammed the crooks responsible for the attacks.

She said: “This inexcusable behaviour. It is not even something that you could see someone doing for fun, it is just malicious.

“That stretch is well used and we get lots of little ones going along there, walking or on their bikes as a nice way to get them out into the fresh air.

“This could cause a lot of damage. It is absolutely shocking and I am concerned people in our area would do such a thing.”

Anyone with information should contact Walton-based PCSO Paul Brassey on 07850 631017 or 101.