VANDALS have caused at least £1,000 worth of damage this summer during another wave of attacks on Woodbridge's popular model yacht pond.In July, the supply cable to the pump at the pond in The Avenue was damaged, resulting in water going into the internal mechanism.

VANDALS have caused at least £1,000 worth of damage this summer during another wave of attacks on Woodbridge's popular model yacht pond.

In July, the supply cable to the pump at the pond in The Avenue was damaged, resulting in water going into the internal mechanism. It cost £800 to replace the pump.

Now the new pump has been damaged by someone who took a large tree branch and used it to thump and dislodge the equipment from its fixing brackets.

The pump has been removed for examination at a cost of £200 and if it has to be replaced then the cost will rise to £800.

“Earlier in the year the council cleaned the pond and repaired the joint seals which had been vandalised last summer,” said cabinet member Maggy Wilson.

“While the pool was empty we used the opportunity to improve the quality of the water by fitting a £700 ultrasound transducer to eliminate algae growth.

“These latest incidents of mindless vandalism have not only been costly, but could have had very serious consequences not only to the people causing them, but to members of the public, including children, who use this very popular yachting pond.”

Suffolk Coastal has taken precautions to warn the public about possible danger.

The junction box on the pond wall has an electrical warning sign on it and is locked and padlocked. The supply cable in the pond is sheathed and secured down to the floor and the pump has a full protective cage on it and is bolted down to the floor.

“If the vandalism continues, the council will have to consider removing the pump which will mean that algae will build up and reduce the quality of the water, making it less enjoyable for the many people who like to sail their model boats on the pond,” added Mrs Wilson.