Pranksters caused thousands of pounds of damage by pouring bubble bath into a city's water fountain just hours after it was switched back on following a £5 million refurbishment. Birmingham's iconic 'Floozie in the Jacuzzi' has been left out of action again after its water was switched back on for the first time in nearly seven years.
Dramatic footage shows a foaming mountain of bubbles pouring into the fountain's control room following the prank last Thursday (19/5). Council bosses have now vowed to put the person responsible "in front of the courts" for the "act of vandalism" which has caused "significant disruption."
The sculpture, officially called 'The River', had undergone a multi-million pound repair project ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games. A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "An act of vandalism carried out last Thursday - the day The River was switched on again - has caused significant disruption to the plant room which operates the feature.
"This is very disappointing and means residents and visitors to Birmingham are unable to enjoy one of the city's most loved pieces of public art. Repairs are being carried out and although we are unable to give an exact number at this stage, this is likely to cost the people of Birmingham thousands of pounds.
"We will ensure the feature is operational once again as soon as possible and would urge anyone with any information about the mindless vandalism to contact us, so those responsible can be brought to justice."
After posting the footage on Twitter, many web users questioned whether the person responsible knew the consequences of what they had done. One person wrote: "You need to put up signage and photos which let people know this, I suspect they think it is harmless fun."
Another added: "Hopefully this might educate people because I imagine they didn't know the damage they were causing." A third asked: "Hauled before the courts for bubble bathing a fountain. But over the top don't you think?"
One commented: "This is why we can't have nice things in Birmingham." The £3.5 million fountain by sculptor Dhruva Mistry was first opened in Victoria Square by Princess Diana on May 6, 1993.
The 1.75 tonnes sculpture was turned off in 2015 due to failings in the water system and work to get it flowing again began last October. After switching it back on, council leader Ian Ward said: "I am absolutely delighted we've been able to turn the Floozie back on today, fully restored.
"I've been determined that throughout the period that the fountain has been closed that we would restore this piece of public art and bring it back to life in time for the Commonwealth Games. We welcome 42 million visitors to this city each and every year and with the Games that number will be a lot higher this year and I want all of those visitors to see this city at its very best."
