Newly opened public toilets at Felixstowe’s Seashore Village have been closed for the week following a spate of vandalism which has seriously damaged the facilities.
In two separate incidents which took place in the past few days, baby changing units, toilet roll holders, soap dispensers and locks were all damaged. Due to the extent of the repairs required, the entire toilet block has been closed and is likely to remain closed for the rest of the week whilst the damage is rectified.
The incident has been reported to Suffolk Police, and anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Local residents or businesses with CCTV in the immediate area are asked to review any footage from the past week.
Cllr Jan Candy, East Suffolk’s cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety said: “It is incredibly frustrating that this brand-new community resource, which was only completed a few weeks ago and is due to be officially opened on 7 December, has already been damaged. The damage will be expensive to repair and has resulted in the toilets being unavailable for at least a week, which is disappointing for residents and visitors.
“This mindless destruction is unfortunately just the latest in a spate of anti-social behaviour which the Community Safety Partnership is working to address, with Suffolk Police and Felixstowe Town Council. Felixstowe is a wonderful place to live, and I know the vast majority of residents appreciate and enjoy all that the town has to offer. It is disappointing that a selfish few are behaving in this way and causing problems for others.”
The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Seamus Bennett, said: “What is particularly disappointing is the senseless waste of ordinary people’s council tax money, by a small section of the community spoiling much needed public facilities. The effort and resources required to provide new facilities such as these are significant and actions like this risk future plans for further investments that benefit everyone.”
If anyone has any concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in Felixstowe or elsewhere in East Suffolk, please call Suffolk Police on 101, contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or report incidents at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour.