Vandals who chopped down a CCTV camera pole because they were sick of being caught committing crimes were filmed carrying out the attack - by the very camera they were trying to get rid of.The spy camera had been put up after a long campaign by neighbors on the Valley Estate in Swinton, Greater Manchester.It was so successful in reducing crime that, just four weeks later, two vandals decided to get their own back by cutting it down with an angle-grinder.he CCTV footage shows two young men, with hoodies pulled over their faces, swaggering up to the camera carrying the heavy machinery.As one starts to saw through the thick metal pole, sparks begin to fly, causing his partner to leap back and cover his face.The attack was captured by the camera on the top of the pole and police are now hunting the bungling culprits.Chief Inspector Vinny Greener, from the Salford Division of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'The CCTV was put up after residents complained about anti-social behaviour on their estate.'Within days of it being in place it led to the arrest of a wanted man and has already provided evidence regarding anti-social behaviorClearly, its presence is upsetting the criminal fraternity and it has been deliberately attacked in broad daylight for all to see.'I want to reassure people that the police, Salford council and City West are working together to identify those responsible.'The camera was damaged during a sunny afternoon on a quiet corner but so far no one has come forward with information.Joe O'Neill, a community activist in the area, said: 'An officer in the monitoring station which operates the CCTV saw someone at the pole and called the police, who were there within two minutes but by that time they had sawed three quarters of the way through the pole.'The residents had campaigned for more than a year to get a CCTV camera in what is regarded as a high crime area.'In the past, families have moved out of the estate after being subject to intimidation and anti-social behaviour.'Norman Owen, leader of Salford's Liberal Democrat group, said: 'I was on the estate last week and it was clear that there is a need for the camera.'I think the authorities must look at a better way of securing it and put it back up.'It's not the first time this CCTV camera has run into trouble. The original pole for it was put up in the wrong place and still stands - camera-free - opposite the stump of its replacement.