Nigel Slater-Bishop from Ventnor Town Council shares this latest news about persistent vandalism in Ventnor. Ed
As a council, we have a duty to keep our assets in a good state of repair for our towns residents and also visitors alike.
This year we have been facing an uphill battle against the constant and reckless vandalism throughout the town. This not only impacts the services provided by Ventnor Town Council, but eats into valuable resources, not only financially, but also many hours of labour for our workforce.
It causes the closures of some areas and facilities for periods of time whilst the staff team undertakes repairs to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors.
Not a good advert for the town
Moreover it is clearly not a good advert for the town, Ventnor is a special place with an unrivalled community spirit, a vast history of being a unique place to live and visit.
The level of vandalism and anti-social behaviour currently is becoming unbearable and therefore increasingly a problem throughout the town.
A vandalism hit list
To highlight the problem and to just show you what we are up against here at Ventnor Town Council, I have set out a vandalism hit list from this year up to June and included the general costs of repairs and replacement parts to the Council (see below).
I am hoping that this will help persuade people to assist in stamping out this kind of behaviour in our town. It is after all the local taxpayers’ money which is paying for the repairs.
Share your thoughts
Give us your ideas, thoughts on how we can try and stop this damage being done to our town, we have CCTV installed at the new toilets in the Central Car Park, do we need more at other sites in the town?
Dispersal orders? Alcohol Free zones? School visits? What else can we do?
Let us know, you can contact me directly here at the council at any time, either by email or phone.
Do not engage with anyone committing these acts
In the meantime please report any evidence of vandalism or Anti-Social behaviour to me here at the council (see below), but please also to report it on the 101 Police online system (this helps with tackling and recording the issue).
Remember, do not engage with anyone who is committing these acts of vandalism and or anti-social behaviour, as this may put yourself at risk : but please be responsible and report it.
In terms of cost to June this year – 2023
- Financial Costs (accumulated) £3,850 + Labour costs
- Labour Costs (Time accumulated) 60 hours
- Periods of closure (Time accumulated) 7 Days +
- Replacement of fourteen cassette Toilet roll holders (accumulated)
- Replacement of over twenty lighting fixtures
- Toilet seat repairs, replacement 10+
- Vehicle and bike damage to Ventnor Park lawns (contractor costs)
Vandalism During 2023 up to June
SpringHill gardens:
- Further damage to the fountain.
- Damage to the shrubs/flowers
- Damage to the benches.
- Damage to property.
- Anti-Social behaviour, Drunken behaviour
Central car Park Toilets: (New Block)
- Internal damage on numerous occasions
- Fire at rear of toilets.
- Graffiti on inside of accessible toilets and other toilets.
- Internal spoiling of toilets.
- Baby changing unit damaged
- Outside area damaged.
- Anti-Social behaviour, drug taking and drunkenness
Sea Front Toilets-Esplanade:
- Internal lighting destroyed.
- Door locks destroyed.
- Cassette Toilet roll holders destroyed, ripped of the wall.
- Toilets broken; Toilets seats broken
- Malicious Sink blockage
- Dirty excrement smeared over walls
- Graffiti damage on every wall inside
- Brand new energy efficient lighting destroyed with Graffiti
- Water supply damaged
- Outside areas damaged.
- Damage to Paddling Pool
- Broken Glass maliciously placed in Paddling pool
- Basketball hoop destroyed within days of installation, on two occasions
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Abusive behaviour to members of the cleaning team
Ventnor Park Toilets, Ventnor Park
- Internal damage
- Door locks broken
- Doors broken off
- Cassette toilet roll holders ripped from the wall.
- Sink damage
- Malicious Sink blockage
- Dirty excrement smeared over walls
- Toilet damage
- Fires
- Graffiti
- Bench damage, Benches dragged away from placement
- Damage to trees and plants
- Lawn Damaged by vehicles.
- Contractors, Gardeners building damaged
- Anti-Social Behaviour
Ventnor Beach:
- Broken Glass
- Damage to Business property
- Damage to VTC Safety Hut, abusive behaviour towards VTC staff and safety team
- Anti-Social Behaviour
Ventnor Town and Green Spaces:
- Graffiti
- Memorial Benches damaged, destroyed
- Community garden damage
- Property damage
- Signs damage
- Fence damage
- Tree damage
- Anti-social behaviour
Contact Details Police: Ring 101 to report, or do it online.
Contact Ventnor Town Council: Ring 01983 857856, or online – [email protected]
