TOILETS in a public garden have been forced to partially close after they were vandalised.

The male toilets at Easton Gardens, based near the entrance to the gardens, were vandalised on Tuesday (August 10) and are set to undergo repairs.

Its operators, Portland Town Council, said it had 'no option but to close them' as the facilities were 'unsafe'.

A council spokesman said 'a significant proportion of our costs in maintaining public toilets are repairing vandalism' and urged anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

He said: "Unfortunately, these toilets were vandalised yesterday and are currently closed. We are keen to keep our public toilets open as we know they are a priority for our local communities, and visitors.

"A significant proportion of our costs in maintaining public toilets are repairing vandalism and we strongly encourage anyone witnessing vandalism in our facilities to report incidents to the police via the Dorset Police website.

"When vandalism makes our facilities unsafe we have no option but to close them so we thank you for your understanding."

Dorset Echo: The vandalism at the toilets The vandalism at the toilets

A spokesman for Portland Police said more patrols will be taking place in the area. 

He said: "Portland NPT have been informed that the public toilets within Easton Gardens have been subject to repeated vandalism for a number of weeks.

"We suspect this maybe occurring later in the evening.

"Portland NPT will increase patrols, but we ask the community to call us if you see ASB around the gardens.

"If you know who is doing this, please ask them to stop. It is mindless and costing Portland Town Council money they could do without spending."