Refurbished toilets in Fen Park Lowestoft are vandalised

The newly refurbished toilet block at Fen Park, Kirkley in Lowestoft following its reopening. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

There was delight as public toilets that had been out of use for more than a decade in Fen Park, Kirkley in Lowestoft were reopened last week.

A ceremonial cutting of toilet paper marked the reopening of the refurbished toilet block in Fen Park, Kirkley last week. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

But five days after a ceremonial cutting of toilet paper had marked the reopening of the toilet block, it has already had to be temporarily closed "due to vandalism".

Signs show the refurbished toilet block in Fen Park, Kirkley - that only opened last week - has had to close temporarily. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Police investigations are now under way in connection with the criminal damage incident.

Having been completely refitted, a free to use single multi gendered toilet unit with baby changing facilities has been provided.

Signs show the refurbished toilet block in Fen Park, Kirkley - that only opened last week - has had to close temporarily. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It is also accessible by users with disabilities as Lowestoft Town Council said they had "invested around £50,000 to bring this facility back into use" in Fen Park.

The refurbishment came as part of a programme of upgrades on their facilities - which also saw the newly refurbished toilet block at Pakefield Street in Lowestoft reopened last week - after the Fen Park toilet block had been closed "for more than a decade."

Signs show the refurbished toilet block in Fen Park, Kirkley - that only opened last week - has had to close temporarily. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

But after the damage was discovered on Tuesday, a town council spokesman said: "Unfortunately the recently opened toilet block at Fen Park has already had to be closed due to vandalism.

"Around £50,000 of public money was invested in bringing this building back into use so it is disappointing that they have already needed to be closed.

The Fen Park public toilets - that only opened last week - have had to close temporarily. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The toilet block will remain closed whilst we look at quotes for the repairs.

"The damage caused was internal and has been reported to the police.

"One of the most asked questions about Fen Park by members of the public has been 'when is the toilet block coming back into use'.

"So it is very disappointing that, following a £50,000 refurbishment, these recently opened toilets have already been vandalised."

Information to Lowestoft police, quoting crime reference number DP-5297-24-3737-01, on 101.