Probe after vandals damage toilets

Damage totalling 350 was caused in the incident which was reported on January 31. Damage was caused to a pull switch, light sensor, reset button and and assist arm was removed.

Council officer Aidan McPeake said it appeared there was no damage to the door of the toilets which led councillors to suspect that whoever damaged the toilets had access to a 'RADAR' key which is given out to disabled people to access toilets.

The scheme operates across the UK and is designed to prevent vandalism.

Cllr Cathal Newcombe (Sinn Fein) said it could also be the case that vandals pushed their way into the facility after it was opened legitimately by someone with a 'RADAR' key.

Cllr Oliver McMullan (Sinn Fein) called on the Council to "see if that happened or if somebody is abusing a RADAR key".

Mr McPeake said they have some footage of individuals in the area outside the toilets and they are looking to see if they can identify the culprits.

The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers independent access to disabled people to around 7,000 locked public toilets around the UK. RADAR would like all providers of accessible toilets to keep their toilets unlocked if at all possible. The NKS is suggested for use only if the provider concerned has to keep the toilets locked to stop vandalism and misuse.

* In another incident of vandalism, which was reported at the same time as the tennis courts attack, it will cost 1,000 to repair six concrete bollards at Waterfoot toilets.