Bay of Lights vandals told: 'You will not kill Christmas'

Young vandals damaging parts of the Bay of Lights trail have been told: "You won't kill Christmas."

A decorated Christmas tree and special lights remembering loved ones have been just two of the targets for wanton attacks after the popular trail was opened alongside The Strand regeneration scheme in Torquay last week.

Council leader Dave Thomas said: "The Bay of Lights have been a fantastic success. We had thousands of people down there for the opening. They were not just locals but were visitors from across the country.

"Unfortunately, what we are seeing is some mindless vandalism. This has been in the form of individuals climbing on one of the silver trees on the harbourside and causing damage there.

"There are also lighted flowers in the sunken gardens in Princess Gardens. It feels like a Remembrance space. It is laid out as a cross and people have sponsored the flowers. Each one of these flowers represent somebody's life. It should be respected. We have had families allow their children to run along the wall, kicking the flowers and picking them up."

Angry Cllr Thomas was adamant: "We will not tolerate the kind of behaviour we are seeing down there."

He urged members of the public to take pictures of the damage being caused and send them to either the police or to him at david.thomas@torbay.gov.uk

"I will make sure the police get them, but people should also make sure they don't put themselves in a situation where they may be in danger of being abused or harmed, " said Cllr Thomas

He added: "We have increased security and we have made sure our CCTV people and police are aware of what is happening. A special shout out to the contractors who have been repairing pieces to make sure Christmas will be the spectacle we want it to be."

Contractors Technical Solutions have been amazed by the reaction and support from the general public.

They said: WOW what a response to our post about the vandalism to the Bay of Lights Illuminations.  We as a team are overwhelmed with the support we are receiving from you and the decent general public.  This has brought a smile back on our faces after feeling totally disheartened.  We are doing our best to repair the damage to get everything back working as it should. 

"We are working closely with the Antisocial Behaviour team at Torbay Council who have the images we have taken, and hope that something can finally be done about this group of youths. 

"There is also, unfortunately, anti social behaviour in older people too, who think it is ok to damage our property, which will also be addressed. Sadly, but not surprisingly, some parents have also been witnessed allowing their children to walk through the flowers and pull them up. This is not ok.

"If anybody witnesses any antisocial behaviour, please report it to Torbay Council on 01803 208025 and hopefully we as a community can help put a stop to this.  Any photo evidence, days, times would be helpful so CCTV can also be checked, but please do not put yourself at risk of abuse or harm."

Cllr Thomas said: "A few vandals are trying to spoil this fantastic piece of work and kill Christmas, but we are not going to allow that. The show goes on."