Diss Town Council condemns ‘senseless’ town damage after vandalism

Vandals struck again in Diss this week causing hundreds of pounds of damage – with the town council describing the aftermath as “senseless”.

At Mere’s Mouth, graffiti was daubed over the walls of its toilets, large amounts of rubbish had been thrown about and a bench in Market Place had some of its wooden slats broken over the weekend.

On top of this, the council said, plastic coverings that were put over bins at Mere’s Mouth had been ripped off and two litter bin tops had been stolen, leading to replacements costing it £800.

The covers had been in place to help the authority with a rise in the rat population around the Mere after a public plea last week asking people to stop feeding the town’s wildlife there as it was contributing to the growing issue.

Robert Ludkin, buildings and facilities manager at the council, said: “It is upsetting that some people think it is ok to destroy things that are put in place for the benefit and enjoyment of others.

“This senseless damage diverted our maintenance team from doing other essential tasks around the town and also required my time to file a Police Report and arrange necessary cleaning and repairs.”

The town centre vandalism follows a Diss play park being attacked last month, leaving children who use it calling for the vandals to leave it alone.

A climbing frame was broken into pieces and graffiti was sprayed over signs at the play area off De Lucy Close in the town.

The playground was installed by South Norfolk Council last summer after it classed the new replacement equipment a “high priority” due to the former wooden apparatus being in poor condition and rotted in places.

At the time of the damage, Charlie Coleman, six, said: “We are sad and angry. We have waited ages for the new park and then it gets broken.”