Appeal for information following St Magnus Lane toilets vandalism

Kirkwall Police are appealing for information after the toilets within St Magnus Lane were vandalised over the weekend. 

Overnight on Friday, the accessible to all toilet and sink were deliberately blocked by toilet roll leading to flooding. 

This was repeated on Saturday night into Sunday, when, in addition, a panel was torn from the wall within the same toilet and toilet roll was strewn across the floor within the gents. 

The accessible toilet facility will be closed while the damage is repaired. The male and female toilets within the facility remain open.  

The latest incidents mean that the opening hours are curtailed to:  

Monday to Friday 08:15 – 16:15, Saturday 08:15 – 17:45 and Sunday 08:15 – 16:45. 

All times are subject to change due to operational requirements. 

Hayley Green, the Council’s Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services and Infrastructure, said: “This is incredibly frustrating, and disappointing, especially for our hard-working staff going into these premises just trying to do their job and keep the facilities clean and open. They should not be faced with this repeatedly.  

“We would appeal for anyone with information to contact Kirkwall Police on 101.” 

The Council’s Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Kristopher Leask, said: “The vast majority of people in Orkney respect the property of others but there are a mindless minority who would wish to spoil things for everyone, and it is becoming increasingly frustrating for those involved in the clean-up operations, never mind the cost to the public purse. 

“Our public toilet facilities are a vital facility not just for folk out visiting and enjoying what Orkney has to offer, but for our community themselves. I would urge anyone with information to pass that on to the police in a bid to stamp out this type of anti-social behaviour.” 

Anyone with information should call Kirkwall Police on 101.