Vandals destroy £100k New Forest toilets

Vandals have driven a construction vehicle into a forest toilet block causing more than £100,000 worth of damage.

The building was smashed at the Anderwood site, on Lyndhurst Road, Burley, in Hampshire, while it was closed for resurfacing works on Thursday evening.

A road roller was driven into the sides of the block, collapsing the walls. The vehicle also had its wires cut and the fire extinguishers inside it were let off.

A Forestry England spokesperson said: "This awful damage has been reported to the police and is being investigated. If anyone has any information about the incident we would encourage them to contact the police."

The vehicle was in a fenced-off security compound on the site that was broken into.

The fencing was damaged and the windows in the toilet block and vehicle were smashed.

Forestry England said: "The toilet block, signs, and machinery being used to repair the car park were all damaged in the attack.

"The damage to the toilet block is so bad that we will have to demolish it.

"Replacing the toilet block and repairing all of the damage is likely to cost more than £100,000.

"This is money paid by those who park, and our members, that should be used to look after the forest and improve facilities for those visiting.

"Instead we will now have to spend it on repairing the damage caused by a small number of individuals.

"Closing this toilet block, and the delays in carrying out much needed repairs to the car parks, will impact many other people when visiting the forest."

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it had received a report of criminal damage caused by a construction vehicle, and that the incident was "under investigation with enquiries to be completed".