The Wanaka police are investigating anti-5G graffiti on road signs on SH6 between Albert Town and Lake Hawea yesterday (Sunday April 5).

At least one complaint was made to the police after many of the road speed signs between the two locations were graffitied with the message: ‘5G kills’.

There has been some opposition within the community to cell towers being erected in and near residential areas and concerns about 5G have been raised by a number of locals. 

The ‘Upper Clutha 5G - Problems and Solutions’ group has almost 100 members.

“The vandalism is disappointing as it upsets the public right when many are feeling anxious, and marginalises the topic when what we need is an ongoing, reasoned conversation about the many complex issues concerning 5G,” group spokesperson Pip Harker told the Wanaka App.

There have been reports from the UK this past week that conspiracy theories linking COVID-19 and 5G broadband technology have resulted in public vandalism.

A mobile phone mast in Birmingham was reported to have been set alight by anti-5G arsonists, and telecommunications engineers have reportedly been abused in the street.

The Guardian reported that Facebook has removed a group where users were being encouraged to send in footage of them destroying mobile phone apparatus.

“Police have been made aware of fresh graffiti on road signs [near] Hawea and are making enquiries,” a police spokesperson said.

5G does not refer to any frequency; the 'G' refers to generation and notes a step in technological advancement - i.e. it is an improvement in processing power at base stations and in devices. To use 5G, a person would need to purchase a compatible device. 

PHOTOS: Supplied