Increasing graffiti and vandalism – including fires around toilet blocks and left-behind DIY drug paraphernalia - are becoming an expensive problem for Waipā ratepayers.

In March, fires were lit and gates aimed at keeping reserves protected were deliberately broken – one within hours of being installed. And it has been downhill ever since, says a council staffer.

Over the past six weeks, Cambridge has been plastered with ugly spray paint. The skate park was hit four times in four weeks and there has been tagging in Milich Place, Halley's Lane, the Cambridge Superloo and at the Leamington Domain.

The cost since the beginning of July to clean up the mess comes down to nearly $1000 a week.

The problem got so bad the Waipā District Council turned to a graffiti removal company.

And for the Graffiti Busters, it takes roughly between one and four hours to restore the damaged surfaces or walls.

Tauranga-based Graffiti Busters director Anthony Nel says for the past three months the team has been working regularly in Cambridge.

Nel says the problem was not restricted to Cambridge and was widespread in Waikato. It had also been on the rise since the pandemic year.

'As poverty is growing, it is bringing more troubled youth in the area. Since Covid-19, when a lot of people lost their jobs, they are finding ways to keep themselves busy.”

And damaging public property was one rebellious way to do it, says Nel.

There has also been ongoing and deliberate damage to community facilities.

Waipā District Council's contracts and projects officer Angela Mathiesen at the Cambridge Superloo – one of several Cambridge sites recently targeted by vandals. Photo: Supplied.

Council staff have dealt with the clean-up of fires at the Leamington Domain and Victoria Square toilets, also finding home-made drug paraphernalia. Shower token boxes, soap dispensers and toilet roll units have also been wrecked across the district.

Incidents have been reported to police but so far, no-one has been held accountable.

Council's community services manager Brad Ward says the wave of destruction follows a report in March this year which identified increasing vandalism, with Waipā's public toilets and barbecue areas targeted.

Staff were absolutely fed up with it, says Brad.

'These brazen idiots have total disregard for public property. Typically, they creep around at night because they are too gutless to be seen during the day.

'But lately we've had issues in broad daylight. Surely someone is seeing something and if so, we're urging them to report it.”

Council has increased security at key spots around the district, closing off some reserves at night to deter boy racers, installing speed bumps and bollards. Security fencing and temporary cameras are in place at Cambridge skate park where construction on a new park will begin shortly.

Ward says the council hands were full taking care of public facilities and urged the community to 'step up and speak up”.

Broken gates, swathes of spray paint and wrecked soap dispensers and shower token boxes are among the issues facing the area. Photo: File/Kelly Hodel/Stuff.

'Someone always knows something. The community provided the information that led to the arrest of those involved in damaging the Hautapu cemetery. There's no reason why these vandals should be getting away with it and no reason why we should let them.”

Residents who see suspicious activity should safely take photos or videos of people in the act, note vehicle number plates and pass that, along with vehicle descriptions, to local police. Reports could also be made via www.police.govt.nz.

Damage and graffiti should be reported to the council immediately by calling 0800 924 723.