Thieves climbed a ladder to steal a flashing electronic speed camera warning sign.

It is the first theft of its kind in Sussex and was condemned today for putting drivers at risk.

The £3,000 flashing sign was installed by the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP) on the Lewes side of the A27 at Beddingham level crossing.

The sign was part of a package of road safety measures aimed at reducing traffic speed on the approach to the crossing where rail experts feared a tragedy could occur if a vehicle collided with a train.

Emma Rogers, the SSCP's communications manager, said: "It is unbelievable that someone could steal a sign that was installed to remind drivers of the speed limit and the camera up ahead.

"Such signs have been known to cut the number of people fined by up to 80 per cent and thereby the number of speed-related crashes and injuries.

"The fact it has been removed has no bearing on the operation of the camera itself.

"The reason we install such signs at camera sites is because we want drivers to slow down which proves the SSCP is about road safety and not about raising revenue as some critics have claimed."

The vehicle activated sign (VAS) is 1m high by 65cm wide and shows a camera symbol at the bottom of the screen and a 40mph speed limit sign at the top.

It lit up as drivers approached it.

The thieves cut brackets holding it to a pole and cut the electricity supply, leaving exposed wires.

Ms Rogers said the thieves may have used a ladder or may have stood on the back of a truck to reach it.

She said: "The vehicle would have been parked on the grass verge or in the road and been fairly obvious."

She appealed to witnesses or anyone with information about the theft to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Mick Forbes at the SSCP on 0845 6070999, extension 82312.