'Mindless' vandalism blights Sunderland's railway station

The station's new main entrance was unveiled in December

Rail bosses say they are working with transport police and councillors in a bid to stamp out vandalism at a newly refurbished train station.

Sunderland station had seen "a number of incidents" in recent weeks, said Northern, which manages the city centre facility.

Last week the building's toilets had to be closed after being damaged.

It comes weeks after the station's new main entrance was opened as part of a £27m revamp.

'Very disappointing'

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: "Unfortunately, we have seen a number of incidents of vandalism at Sunderland station in recent weeks.

"This is very disappointing given the recent investment in the station and the inconvenience it causes to our customers.

"We are working closely with British Transport Police, the local authority and [public transport organisation] Nexus to bring an end to this mindless activity."

The new waiting area has been described as "bare" and "uninviting"

Sunderland City Council said it was "continuing to support and work with its public transport and policing partners" to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour.

The station, which now has a large, glass wraparound design, has previously been criticised as "uninviting" and "bare" with some residents saying the entrance area had a lack of seating and shops.