Overview
- Port of Tyne closed the North Pier and shut the gates after security evacuated visitors following Wednesday's vandalism that smashed eight glass bricks near the lighthouse.
- Broken glass left the walking surface unsafe for the public and, the port said, left sensitive equipment that supports the lighthouse's navigation systems vulnerable.
- The authority has estimated repair costs at about £20,000 and said teams will first secure the area before carrying out fixes.
- The incident comes just seven days after the pier reopened following a £4.5 million restoration to fix storm damage from October 2023, raising fresh concerns about repeat vandalism and antisocial behaviour during the project.
- Local leaders and the port have criticised the damage for depriving the community of access to a valued amenity and warned that whoever is responsible should be held to account as assessments continue.