By Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
A police sergeant has called for CCTV to be installed at a popular Isle of Wight beach, after public toilets there were “completely obliterated”.
The damage was condemned as vandalism by Ryde Town Council, and led to the closure of the men’s loos at Appley. Instead, portable toilets have been installed on the sea-front, and an investigation has been launched by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
On Monday, at a meeting of Ryde Town Council, a senior officer admitted there were no leads and he blamed a lack of CCTV.
Sergeant Matt Brown said officers were patrolling the area and had requested the possibility of installing surveillance cameras be looked at.
Describing the damage, Cllr Michael Lilley, representative for Appley & Elmfield, said the toilets had been “completely obliterated and it wasn’t just vandalism, but a real smash job.”
He said the toilets are a “very important leisure community visitor site,” adding it would cost the town council and its residents to restore them to working order.
Appealing for anyone who had seen any unusual activity, or noticed any damage, to get in touch, in a bid to work out when it had happened. The town council apologised for their ongoing closure.
Mal Butler 
Tilly Walder 
Isle of Wight Observer