Vandals tag lifeguard tower at Whanganui's Mowhanau Beach

Wanganui Surf Lifeguard Service chairman James Newell is annoyed by tagging scratched into a window at the Mowhanau Beach lifeguard tower. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui Constable Fraser Overweel would like to find the person who scratched their tag signature into the window of the new surf lifeguard tower at Kai Iwi Beach.

The damage stood out to Mowhanau resident Doug Penn, who noticed it about two weeks ago. It's disappointing for Wanganui Surf Lifeguard Service chairman James Newell.

His son Matthew, and other lifeguards, had the idea for the tower. Matthew and volunteers built it over three months, using materials donated by Mitre 10 Mega and other Whanganui businesses.

It was officially opened in December last year, and now needs its first repairs. Newell said the laminated safety glass in the window would probably have to be replaced. He doesn't want it attracting other taggers to leave their mark.

"We want to get on top of it before it gets worse and worse."

The tower is used by five lifeguards during swimming season, for shelter and communication with Castlecliff. It can be very busy, Newell said, especially on days when Castlecliff is too windy for swimming.

As well as the tag scratched into the window and the deck's wooden balustrade, someone has shot at the tower's door three times, leaving little pits.

Somebody has fired a slug gun at the door of the new surf life saving tower at Mowhanau Beach three times. Photo / Bevan Conley

The tagging would have taken some time, Overweel said.

"It's not a five-minute job. Somebody probably knows the tag, or heard somebody bragging about it."

Anyone with information can contact him at Whanganui Police Station, 349 0600, or Newell on 0274 439 692.