Norton’s public toilets shut again due to vandalism

The facilities in Church Street, Norton have closed after basins were ripped from the walls and the facilities flooded.

The vandalism has been condemned by Cllr Keane Duncan, who is working with North Yorkshire Council and Norton Town Council to safeguard the future of the facilities after persistent vandalism.

Cllr Duncan said: “I’m so disappointed to report yet more mindless vandalism at Norton’s toilets. The facilities have been targeted a number of times now, but this is the worst damage we have seen.

“Operatives from the council found wash basins ripped from the wall, and a toilet cistern damaged in such a way that water was shooting up to the ceiling, leading to the toilets to be flooded.

“The facilities are currently unable to open until the council can make repairs. The police are aware and investigating. There is CCTV at the toilets and I am very keen for this to be reviewed in an attempt to identify who may be responsible.

“At a time when our toilets have already been under threat from charging and closures, further vandalism is yet another blow that I fear could lead to permanent closure of the facilities.

“I feel very strongly that we should not give in to a minority by closing these facilities permanently. We should identify who is responsible and ensure they are the ones punished, not the wider community by denying access to important facilities.”

The latest vandalism is thought to have happened on Saturday morning (March 28). Anyone with information should report this to North Yorkshire Police quoting the following reference number: NYP-28032026-0379