VANDALS who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a fence protecting the North wall at Southwold harbour are putting lives at risk, it has been claimed.

VANDALS who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a fence protecting the North wall at Southwold harbour are putting lives at risk, it has been claimed.

At a cost of £25,000 a galvanised hoop top fence has been put around a 300metre section of the harbour wall because it is unstable.

Waveney District Council put the fence up as a precautionary measure because of the instability of the wall.

But it has now been ripped down in places and a hacksaw used to cut through three metal bars.

Dave Jessop, Waveney's principal service manager for asset management said: “The trouble is the wall could fall down tomorrow, it could fall down in 15 years' time we just don't know.

“We have had to take this precautionary measure in the interests of safety.

“But there is a small minority who are not only putting their own lives at risks, but those of others as well.”

He said: “This is not vandalism for vandalism's sake. This is by people who think they should be allowed to go on the harbour wall to get closer to the river.”

Mr Jessop said the measure was an interim one while they wait for consultants' assessment of the work needed.

Current estimates place the renovation work at around £5million but it could be far less.

Mr Jessop said: “The problem is because the wall is so unsafe the work will have to be done from the river and that will require a specialist company with specialist equipment and we just don't know how much that will cost.”

He added warning notices telling people to keep away from the harbour wall and the fence are having to be replaced on a daily basis as well.

He said: “The majority of visitors understand that public safety is a priority, and we would ask anyone who witnesses inappropriate behaviour to report it to the council. We will not hesitate in seeking prosecutions against anyone who commits acts of criminal damage that could endanger lives.”

To report an incident, please call Waveney District Council on 01502 562111.