St Magnus Lane toilets vandalised for 15th time this year

Kirkwall Police are investigating two separate instances of vandalism at the council-run St Magnus Lane public toilets this week.

All dispensers in the male and female toilets were damaged by being kicked or ripped from the walls and a special lock to the accessible toilet was also broken – for at least the third time this year. It would appear that an attempt was also made to break into the shower rooms.

This means the public facility has been vandalised on at least 15 occasions this year alone – at a cost of more than £1,500 to the public purse. This follows nine instances last year.

The toilets will remain closed until the new year.

Hayley Green is the council’s interim executive director of environmental, property and IT services. She said: “Our hardworking staff going into these premises just trying to do their job and keep the facilities clean and open should not be faced with this time and again. It is incredibly disheartening for all involved. This intolerable level of vandalism and the ongoing cost of repair puts a question mark over the future of this much-needed facility.

“We would appeal for anyone with information to contact Kirkwall Police. We will be asking what more can be done in terms of additional patrols and policing of the area. St Magnus Lane toilets are an important facility for all Orkney residents as they are for other users.”

OIC’s chair of development and infrastructure committee, councillor Graham Sinclair, said the situation was more than a nuisance to all genuine users and the staff who tend to the facility.

“The vast majority of people in Orkney respect the property of others but there are a mindless minority who would wish to spoil things for everyone and it is becoming increasingly frustrating for those involved in the clean-up operations, never mind the cost to the public purse.

“Our public toilet facilities are very much seen as a vital facility not just for folk out visiting and enjoying what Orkney has to offer, but also for some employees going about their daily duties. I would urge anyone with information to pass that on to the police in a bid to stamp out this type of anti-social behaviour.”