The leader of Douglas Council, David Christian, has called the recent spate of vandalism in the island’s capital ’despicable’.

Mr Christian was speaking following vandalism to Shaw’s Brow car park and an arson attack in a public toilet on Loch Promenade.

He said: ’Regrettably there has been a noticeable escalation in the frequency and severity of vandalism in the town.

’These despicable and deliberate criminal acts cost many thousands of pounds to rectify.

’As a consequence, they impose an unnecessary financial burden on ratepayers, causing the council to be forced to redirect monies budgeted for delivering and improving its services.

’But we cannot count the cost of vandalism in monetary terms alone, there is also the social impact, which means the community as a whole suffers and feels less secure.’

Mr Christian added that the council was working with the police to examine CCTV of the areas to identify those responsible and says the offenders appear to be a small group of youths.

He says the council would pursue costs from the youths or their parents to make it clear that it would not tolerate antisocial behaviour and that this spate of crime would not dent the island’s ’strong legacy of community spirit and civic pride’.

Mr Christian saidL ’To ignore vandalism is to encourage its continuation.

’On behalf of Douglas Borough Council I’m issuing a call to the people of this island to join with us and the police to stem the tide of vandalism in our towns and villages and report anything suspicious to the police.

’The police recently asked parents: "Do you know where your young people are?" Clearly, the parents of these young offenders do not know where they are.’