Reckless yobs have been criticised following a decision to permanently remove paper recycling banks from a retail park after repeated arson attacks.

Two ‘Newspaper and Magazine’ bins have been in place at Tendring District Council’s (TDC) recycling bring site at Waterglade Retail Park, in Old Road, Clacton, for a number of years.

However, due to repeated arsons and antisocial behaviour, the banks will now be removed.

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said he was frustrated that the actions of a few have robbed residents of the use of the facility.

“Unfortunately, these paper banks have been subjected to repeated arson attacks, causing severe damage and costs to both the banks and their contents, which then must be disposed of as residual waste due to fire and water damage,” he said.

“Despite our efforts to work with the contractor, they can no longer absorb the cost of these acts of arson.

“As such, we have agreed that these banks are to be removed from this site and not replaced.

“It is incredibly disappointing that we have to take this action due to the reckless behaviour of a few individuals.

“We take pride in our services to residents and want to champion our environment, so it is very frustrating that these facilities must be removed.

“I would like to thank residents who used these recycling banks for their understanding and would urge anyone who spots vandalism or witnesses suspicious behaviour at our facilities to contact the police immediately.”

Paper and cardboard can be recycled at the kerbside as part of your usual household recycling collection while residents will still be able to recycle glass and textiles at the Waterglade Retail Park bring site.

It is anticipated that the paper banks will be removed later this week.

Witnesses to the incidents, the most recent of which happened in March and April, are encouraged to report criminal damage directly to Essex Police at www.essex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.