Shropshire Star

Market Drayton toilets wrecked in new vandal attack

Public toilets next to Market Drayton's newly refurbished skate park have been closed again after being severely damaged by vandals.

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Police are appealing for information after all the basins in the female toilets near Market Drayton's swimming pool were smashed at the weekend.

The damage was caused on Sunday afternoon and included wet toilet roll being thrown on the ceiling and walls.

The town's council has expressed dismay at the latest vandalism, saying the repeated incidents are "disheartening and discouraging" for its staff.

The latest incident comes just weeks after work was completed on refurbishing the toilets to make them more secure.

The public toilets on Newport Road have been frequently damaged this year and previously the town council said they could be shut permanently if they were consistently vandalised.

In July they were shut for nearly two weeks due to extensive damage.

Julie Jones, clerk of Market Drayton Town Council, said she is currently working on getting CCTV installed at the Newport Road car park in the town, which will cover the toilets and the new skate park.

She said it may cost more than £1,000 to repair the latest damage.

She added: "It is an absolute mess. They have smashed all the basins and chucked wet toilet paper all up the walls and doors. It is a big mess.

"Only last week all the toilet seats were pulled off in the ladies' toilets so we didn't put them back on. It is terrible.

"No matter what we do to try and make it a decent facility - the vandals strike again.

"It is very disheartening and discouraging for the town council staff.

"They will be closed again now while we assess the damage."

Meanwhile a window was smashed at Methodist Church in Clive Road, Market Drayton at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

Police said they believe the damage was caused by a group of men who had been walking past and one had picked a roadside cone up and threw it into the window.

Anyone with information on either incident should call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org