Spate of toilet attacks costs council 'thousands'

Residents are being asked to be vigilant after a spate of toilets fell victim to vandals

"Mindless" acts of toilet vandalism have cost "thousands of pounds" in damages, a council has said.

Public toilets in Tendring, Essex, have been targeted with anti-social behaviour and the latest incident saw two facilities abused in Walton-on-the-Naze on 8 May.

Taps were broken and toilet rolls were stolen at loos in Kino Road, and a door was damaged and stock was removed at a block in Southcliff Promenade.

Peter Kotz, Tendring District Council cabinet member for assets, said: "These mindless acts of vandalism are deplorable and have once again caused thousands of pounds of damage. These attacks demonstrate a lack of respect for facilities that are used by residents and visitors, allowing them to enjoy our town centres and seafronts.”

He added: “I reiterate that we do not want to be spending taxpayers’ money on repairs that could otherwise be spent on maintenance."

There have been a spate of vandalism at toilets in Essex

Vandals also smashed toilet cubicle doors into pieces at the West Greensward toilet block, in Clacton, on the evening of Thursday, 2 May.

It came after facilities, in Pier Gap, Clacton, and at the Tennis Court in Lower Marine Parade, Dovercourt, were hit last month.