Vandals who have caused damage in Douglas have been branded "despicable".

The leader of Douglas Borough Council says the recent spate of vandalism has caused both financial burden and a 'social impact'.

David Christian's comments come after a fire was started in the public toilets on Loch Promenade and the Shaw’s Brow car park was vandalised.

He says: "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."

He says the council is working with the police who have confirmed the CCTV images show the offenders are a small group of youths.

He continues: "The Council will pursue costs from them or their parents to make it clear that it will not tolerate this woefully antisocial behaviour which has a deeply corrosive effect on our town’s – and our Island’s – quality of life.

"The Isle of Man has a strong legacy of community spirit and civic pride. Let us not have that dented by the toxic behaviour of a minority.

"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."