Vandals seriously damage award-winning toilets

Phil Childs from Wychavon District Council described the damage as "extremely disappointing"

A set of award-winning toilet cubicles have been "significantly damaged" by vandals, according to Wychavon District Council.

The incident happened on 1 August at the public loos in Waterside, Evesham, which has been targeted over recent weeks.

Soap, air freshener, and toilet roll dispensers have been ripped from the walls while baby changing units and toddler safety seats have been broken beyond repair.

The cubicle doors have also been "kicked in" and Phil Childs, street scene and amenities officer at the council, described the latest attack as "extremely disappointing".

Mr Childs said: "A lot of time and effort has gone into making these toilets as nice and as a pleasant a place for people to visit.

"Then when undesirable people decide to smash them up, it's extremely disappointing.

"It's just mindless and senseless, and we really just can't see any reason for it."

It comes after the district announced in February its conveniences had been named the best local authority toilets in England and the United Kingdom for the third year in a row.

Mr Childs said vandalism had been getting worse in the area

Mr Childs admitted a "big chunk" of the council's maintenance budget has been spent on the repairs.

He also said vandalism of council toilet blocks was getting worse.

"It's not on a daily basis, but certainly a weekly basis, that we have to clean up or repair vandalism that is done to these toilet blocks," he said.

"It's been going on for a long time and I think it needs to be brought to the public's attention that this is happening.

"We normally respond really quickly so many people wouldn't even know it had happened but it's just getting a bit much now."

Wychavon District Council has said it is encouraging members of the public to report any anti-social behaviour or vandalism to the police via 101 or online.