Council respond to Covid-19 sign vandalism

Sefton Council have spoken out after numerous signs promoting social distancing measures through the Covid-19 outbreak have been vandalised.

In Southport Town Centre dozens of floor signs on pavements have had denials and conspiracy theories scrawled over them, while a tourist information sign in Ainsdale has been vandalised twice.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “We are aware that public and private signage, designed to encourage social distancing and keep our communities safe, has been vandalised in Southport Town Centre.

“As well as protecting individual businesses and their customers, these temporary measures are there to support our communities to help reduce the possibility of a wider COVID-19 outbreak and the potential need to introduce local restrictions, which would have a negative effect on everyone.

“While we are grateful to the thousands of healthcare professionals, residents, visitors and businesses who are playing their part in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Sefton, it is disappointing to see that a very small minority of people are behaving in a reckless and irresponsible manner.

“We strongly urge all our residents to report any instances of vandalism to the police immediately and we will be working over the coming weeks to remove any defaced local authority signage.”