SPECIAL vandal-proof bins installed in The Meadows in Tavistock because of arson incidents, are being attacked. Dampeners built into the lids of the bins to extinguish fires are being damaged by vandals who are intent on setting the structures alight. Installed at a cost of more than £500 each, Tavistock Town Council staff are annoyed and frustrated the attacks are continuing. Several of the 15 bins in the Meadows have had to have lids replaced, which is costing the council and subsequently the tax payer £50 a time. An arson incident also occurred at West Devon Borough Council?s public toilets at the Guildhall on July 26 where a handwasher was stuffed with paper and carnival bunting and set alight. Deputy town clerk for Tavistock Rosie Kehoe said it was ?demoralising?: ?We have a hideous problem with vandalism in the park which is why we replaced the mesh rubbish baskets with what we thought were vandal-proof ones at over £500 each. ?When the culprits saw they could not set light to the rubbish they decided to bend and break the dampeners on the lids instead.? Works superintendent Wayne Southall said lids were being refixed or replaced five or six times a week: ?We have an ongoing problem with arson ? the shelter was burnt down and a tree set alight in the past few months. ?They also tried to hot wire the ride-on mower and vandalised the tractor shed ? a lot of it happens on Friday and Saturday nights.? Mr Southall said ?Keep Out? signs for the skate park which was currently under construction had been knocked down, but he hoped when the facility was opened in less than two months people would use it and look after it.? Town council staff have asked people to contact them on 01822 613529 or the police on 08705 777444 if they see anyone causing vandalism in the park. Tavistock community constable PC Graham Calendar said arson was taken very seriously for which the ultimate penalty was a prison sentence: ?We are increasing our patrols as much as possible but hope that anyone who sees anything suspicious will contact us.?
