COMMUNITIES in West Somerset are being urged to make a New Year resolution to be public spirited after a spate of vandalism.
Disabled toilets were wrecked, harbour lights smashed and lifebelts thrown into the sea in Watchet – damage that is not only deeply dangerous but costly to the public purse.
Safety signs warning of potential rock falls and cliff erosion have also been taken from the slipway entrance at Blue Anchor.
Support bars were also ripped out of a disabled toilet, the lavatory seat deliberately broken and the pan damaged.
The price of putting right the destruction will run into four figures – and the vandalism could potentially put public safety at risk.
Now West Somerset Council is asking people to be vigilant and to report and suspicious activities to the police as soon as possible.
Cllr Martin Dewdney, lead member for the environment, said smashing the harbour lights, vandalising lifebelts and removing signs was wanton and irresponsible behaviour.
“The lights are there for a purpose – to keep that area so close to the sea well lit and therefore safe for people to enjoy. Throwing lifebelts into the sea is self-evidently stupid and dangerous,” he said.
“Repairing the damage will fall as a cost to this council – we will have to spend money on making good the destruction rather than on improving life for our communities.
“I would urge our citizens to be public spirited as we begin a new year and pass on information to the police, or to the council, and help to keep their communities safe.”
The council is also asking people not to use litter bins for domestic rubbish that should be put out for collection and recycling.
There have also been reports of fly-tipping in car parks in Watchet with items such as old TV sets dumped, and of waste bins being used for household rubbish or food waste.