Community leaders in Lossiemouth have hit out at “mindless” vandal attacks that are destroying much of the good works carried out in the town.
Extensive efforts are being made to improve facilities in the popular tourism destination with groups such as the Lossiemouth Community Development Trust (LCDT) and Laich Coast Tourism Group bringing communities together with a common purpose.
However, after surveying the damage caused by what has been reported as an “unruly group of young people” at the weekend, some community leaders are questioning if their efforts are worth the trouble.
The pavilion at Station Park was extensively damaged just months ahead of the ‘Wall of Rock’ annual youth music festival at the venue. Station Park has come under increasing attack from vandals with the community already operating a voluntary ‘toilet rota’ in an attempt to protect facilities in the park.
Speaking on social media the deputy chair of the Lossiemouth Community Council, Carolle Ralph, described the latest attack as “devastating” for the community. She said: “I think it is perhaps high time we had a CCTV system in Station Park.
“Our stage has been destroyed by some selfish brats this time, we are sick fed up of the vandalism down there. People try to do their best for the community to that others will wish to visit Lossiemouth – only for others to destroy what little we have.”
Local resident Alison Mitchell commented: “I am saddened by this – there are folk giving their free time again and again to improve this community and the same mindless rabble keep destroying it.”
A spokesman for the LCDT said: “We are aware of this latest attack on Station Park and it was discussed at a meeting on Monday evening.
“Part of our planning for facilities in Lossiemouth includes improvement to Station Park for the benefit of everyone in the community – clearly, that is not helped by elements who insist on mindlessly destroying those facilities that exist.
“With the help of our local councillors we will strive to put in place some security measures in the area, but at the end of the day information on who is responsible for these vandal attacks will go a long way to solving the problem.”
Anyone who has information on vandalism in Lossiemouth is being encouraged to contact the police on the non-emergency 101 number.