Vandalism is a serious problem for many Polish towns and cities, generating significant repair costs for damaged public property. An example is a case from Konin, where the destruction of a fountain with a horse statue in front of the Konin Cultural Centre caused widespread outrage among residents and authorities. After several years of ongoing proceedings, the court ordered the perpetrators to pay huge compensation to the city. This incident is a reminder of the seriousness of the legal consequences of destroying public property.
Destruction of a fountain and its consequences
In October 2019, a shocking act of vandalism took place in which, among other things, a metal figure of a horse, which was part of the fountain in front of the Konin Cultural Centre, was damaged. As the police established, drunken people climbed onto the statue on the night of 11-12 October. The first two managed to get down without causing damage, but under the third, the horse’s legs broke. In addition to the statue itself, the fountain jets, electrical installation and lighting were also affected. The cost of repairing the fountain amounted to PLN 141,000. Municipal companies contributed to the financing of the repair, and the statue – a symbol of the city known from its coat of arms – returned to its place in December 2020.
Court decision and punishment for perpetrators
Initially, the court imposed a relatively small fine on the perpetrators, in view of the enormous cost of the repair, amounting to just five thousand zloty. The Konin authorities disagreed with such a low ruling and decided to pursue justice further. In the end, a verdict was passed on Monday 24 March 2025, ordering the perpetrators to pay more than PLN 97,000 in damages to the city. In addition, they were sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. This verdict is not yet final.
“We will effectively pursue compensation for acts of vandalism that may happen to the city” – emphasised the mayor of Konin, Piotr Korytkowski. Additionally, he pointed out that he has instructed his subordinates not to let go in such cases.
The destroyed fountain. Photo: LM Local Media
Fines for destruction of public property
Destruction of public property in Poland is treated seriously by the law. Depending on the scale of the damage and the circumstances of the act, perpetrators may face heavy financial penalties, restriction or imprisonment. Compensation to the affected public entities is an additional burden to compensate for the damage caused and to deter further potential vandals.
Will a hefty fine for damaging a fountain be a lesson?
The case of the destroyed fountain in Konin shows that acts of vandalism do not go unpunished. The compensation of almost PLN 100,000 is a very severe consequence of an action against public property. City authorities, as in the case of Konin, should always react so firmly to incidents of this kind, protecting the common good and maintaining order.
Source: LM Local Media
Read also: Curiosities | Squares, Squares, Parks | City | Sculpture | Konin
