Vandals hit Highland Council with a £3000 bill after fire-raising closes toilets at the city's Whin Park
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Fire-raising vandals have left council tax-payers with a four-figure bill after trashing toilets at a popular Inverness park.
The public convenience at Whin Park has again been targetted, with culprits smashing internal fittings and lighting fires within the gents’ lavatory.
The toilet block near the River Ness serves as a strategic stop-off for walkers, joggers and families using riverside walks and the wider leisure area.
Operators Highland Council were left facing repairs costing in the region of £3000.
The council is now warning that the gents – closed for the last fortnight – won’t be allowed to re-open until staff assess the risk of repeat acts of vandalism as much lower.
Whin Park's toilets were also hit by wanton acts of destruction last year, while Gus MacDonald, owner of nearby Inverness Crazy Golf at Bught Park, recently had to install a new video security system after furniture was smashed at his venue.
A council spokeswoman said: “The public toilets at Whin Park are closed due to vandalism and deliberate fire raising.
“The toilets will remain closed until the threat of vandalism is reduced.
RELATED: Disabled toilet in Whin Park in Inverness closed after it was damaged by vandals
“Highland Council works very hard to maintain and keep open as many public conveniences as possible, and to retain or expand facilities in partnership with communities where possible.
“Vandalism, while not only criminal, is a total waste of taxpayers’ money and diverts resources from council works and services.
“It’s vital that our public toilets are safeguarded and no more are lost.”
The vandalism took place during the day as the council locks the toilets overnight from 6pm to 8am.
Currently, Whin Park’s public convenience is one of 13 in the Highland area either fully or part-closed due to vandalism.
The spokeswoman added: “The required repairs are estimated to cost in the region of £3,000.
“We aim to have the Highland Council public toilets opened 24/7, however, in some cases we may need to change the hours or close a toilet temporarily due to operational issues and vandalism.”
Anyone who witnesses vandalism or has any information on culprits is asked to report them to police on 101 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Highland Council provides a map of public convenience locations on its website here.
