Councillor slams 'mindless stupidity' of Southwold vandals

The seats on Southwold seafront - which are dedicated to local residents who have died - were found broken and thrown over the side of the promenade, while rubbish from bins was also strewn on the seafront.

Meanwhile, toilets at Kilcock Cliff, operated by Southwold Town Council, were badly damaged with the toilet basin in one cubicle being ripped out of the floor, while in another a sink was also destroyed.

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Southwold town councillor David Beavan said: "What a crazy thing to do, to break into a public toilet. It is mindless stupidity."

He said the toilets were closed, but could be accessed in return for a 20p fee, although there had been targeted in the past.

"They are pretty well constructed, you would have a job getting through them, but people have wedged the door open," he added.

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The arm of one of the memorial benches was also damaged (Image: Skye Birch)Of the vandalism to the benches, Mr Beavan said: "It looks like they were thrown over. It is really disrespectful of people to do that.

"Somebody has paid good money to have a memorial of a loved one and some idiot comes along and does that."

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He believed excess alcohol during the New Year celebrations may have played a role in the behaviour.

There are a number of other public toilets in Southwold, including four owned by East Suffolk Council, all of which are open between 7am and 6pm during the summer and winter months.

These can be found at Church Green, Ferry Road, the harbour and the pier. 

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