Vandals have stuck at Beccles train station just three weeks after extensive renovations were made to the platforms.

British Transport Police have launched an investigation after the windows of a newly repaired and re-glazed waiting shelter were smashed over the weekend.

Just last month Greater Anglia carried out the improvement work on the Lowestoft-bound platform as part of a wider programme of enhancements following the launch of the hourly service on the East Suffolk line last December.

A spokesman from Greater Anglia called the act ‘galling’, adding that the company was extremely frustrated and disappointed at the thoughtless damage.

He said: “We have been working extremely hard, in partnership with Suffolk County Council, Network Rail and the East Suffolk Community Rail Partnership to improve station facilities for passengers and communities along the East Suffolk line.

“At Beccles specifically, this proactive approach has included investing in station improvements such as station painting, enhanced waiting facilities and the new ticket vending machine - all of which followed on from the introduction of the hourly service on the East Suffolk line last December. This major upgrade had also seen the construction of the passing loop and the re-commissioning of the southbound platform.

“With the greater connectivity for Beccles that this brings, we are already seeing more people using the line and more people travelling to and from Beccles station.

“As the gateway to the town we want the station to provide a positive image. It is therefore all the more galling to see our efforts and those of our partners undermined by such unacceptable anti-social behaviour.

“The shelter has been the subject of repeated vandalism over a number of years now. It is only three weeks since the shelter had been upgraded, with glazing installed. We will now have to assess the best approach going forward.

“We would ask everyone in the local community to work with us on this issue and to provide any information about this disgraceful act to the British Transport Police.”

The incident was reported to British Transport Police at 12.30pm on Sunday.

Sgt Andy Cook said: “We received a report from a member of the public that the glass shelter on the platform had been damaged, with a number of windows broken in the process.

“Officers are currently working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible. We are making local enquiries in the area and appealing for witnesses. If you have any information about the incident, we urge you to come forward – you may know something that could help our investigation.”

Anyone with any information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident reference 201 of 04/08/2013.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.