Coun Bill Roberts outside the toilets which have been daubed with grafitti Picture Ref: 78697-80BORED youths have been blamed for a spate of school holiday vandalism.

The beginning of the holidays in Wootton Bassett has heralded an unprecedented wave of vandalism and graffiti.

In one incident play equipment used by five-year-olds was daubed with pictures of male and female genitalia.

And councillors believe that the spate of vandalism will lead to an increase in next year's council tax bills.

Coun Bill Roberts is the chairman of the town council's amenities committee.

He said: "It's absolutely disgusting.

"These people are mindless morons with no self-respect and no respect for the community.

"It's costing thousands of pounds on renovations and that money will have to go onto next year's budget.

"Obviously we have contingency plans but not for this extent of vandalism.

"It inevitably means higher council tax bills."

A spokeswoman for the town council said that graffiti had appeared at the Poets Field play area as well as toilets, which had also been smeared in mud.

She said the cost of replacing lifebuoys at Jubilee Lake, which had been stolen or set on fire, was approaching £1,000.

Coun Roberts said the theft of lifebuoys represents a danger to the public.

He said: "The water is deep 14ft in places. The danger aspect is more important than the financial one."

Mayor Chris Wannell questioned whether the school holidays are too long.

"It's a question of boredom from the holidays.

"There are play schemes for the youngsters, but not everyone will want to take part.

He said: "When we were young we had to find our own amusement, but I don't remember causing a lot of damage.

"This is just wanton vandalism. There's no reason for it and all these people are doing is adding extra costs, which obviously have to be passed on to the town's ratepayers.

"The damage to the lifebuoys is putting people's lives at risk."

Dave Andrew