Someone is trolling this random British street by repeatedly replacing the sign

"There is a serious side to this."
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LONDON -- On a random street in Boston in England, there's a deeply odd mystery brewing.

For a reason unknown to the local council, a prankster appears to have developed a vendetta against a street sign.


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On two different occasions, the Fydell Court street sign (ie. the real one) has been removed and replaced by a sign for "Hatchers Walk".

This can't just have been a spur-of-the-moment type prank, either.

In a press release sent to Mashable, Boston Borough Council explained that street signs are secured with 12 metal rivets. Someone would have needed a drill and a fair bit of time (not to mention a different street sign, which aren't exactly easy to come by) to make the switch.

“Someone has gone to an awful lot of trouble, not to mention expense," a Boston Borough Council spokesperson said. "The signs have been tidily riveted in place." 

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

All in all, it's a pretty weird one. Boston Borough Council have contacted their usual sign-maker, but he said he hadn't been asked to make the Hatchers Walk sign. Apparently the sign does show signs of wear, though, which has led to them thinking it may have been stolen from somewhere else.

But a quick Google search doesn't show up much.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

For now, at least, the mystery remains unsolved.

"There is a serious side to this," the spokesperson continued.

"For one thing it is illegal to interfere and change street signs without lawful permission -- you cannot just rename a street. And then there is the delay which could be caused if emergency services were looking for the address and were confused by the wrong name. 

"It wouldn’t be such a joking matter if someone suffered as a result.”

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


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Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

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