A BLOCK of public toilets in a Poole park have been closed following weeks of repeated vandalism.

There have been three separate incidents of vandalism to the toilets at Alexandra Park, Parkstone, between Thursday, January 12 and Wednesday, February 1.

These include two small fires where toilet paper was set alight, the smashing of windows and severe damage to handrails outside the disabled toilet. Police are investigating the incidents.

Due to the extent of the damage the toilets have been closed until further notice, says Borough of Poole (BOP).

A council spokesman said work is ongoing to establish the extent and cost of the required repairs.

Ian Poultney, environmental development manager at Borough of Poole, said: “It is so disappointing that a mindless act of vandalism is once again putting unnecessary pressure on council resources. I would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the police as soon as possible.”

The Alexandra Park toilets have been earmarked by the council in a recent round of public toilet closures.

Last month BOP’s cabinet agreed to close a further eight public toilets across the borough leaving only 15 open out of 30 before closures began.

The borough has said the new wave of closures will save £100,000 in addition to the £193,000 already recouped by other public toilet closures. However the decision has now been called in, meaning it will need to be looked at again by councillors before the closures go ahead.

The toilets affected are at Baiter Park, Branksome Recreation Ground, Alexandra Park, Charborough Road (Broadstone Recreation Ground), Constitution Hill, Parkstone Park, Poole Road, and The Haven.

The call-in overview and scrutiny meeting to discuss the charges is set for the Civic Centre on February 20. It is the second decision made at last month’s cabinet meeting which has been called in for a second look. Increased parking charge proposals were discussed last week by the same committee – which backed the original decision.

BOP leader Janet Walton said: “We’re committed to an overview and scrutiny system. Its not a legal requirement for everything to go through overview and scrutiny before a decision is made, it depends on a range of circumstances.

“These include the council’s forward plan, whether any scrutiny has been requested by a member and whether a council policy has already been agreed. Call-in is also an important part of the scrutiny process where decisions are considered to require further review.”