Newport vandals warned after spate of graffiti attacks

Yobs have sprayed paint on buildings, benches and bus shelters in Newport during the last fortnight.

Obscene graffiti in the children's play area in Victoria Park was washed away by Telford & Wrekin Council but then more paint appeared on the public toilets in Stafford Street car park and on a bus shelter in High Street.

A van was also covered in spray paint.

West Mercia Police said work was ongoing to identify the people behind the vandalism.

Spokesman Chris Ammonds said: "We have been notified of at least three incidents in the past two weeks in Newport and are following up on the concerns expressed to us by local people.

"The Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Newport and working hard to establish who is responsible for the graffiti that has appeared but would also be very grateful to hear from anyone who believes they may have information that could aid their investigation."

Officers are keeping a log of the graffiti designs to work out whether the same people are behind each incident and to compare it with other vandalism elsewhere in the borough.

The paint appeared on the toilets over the weekend.

The door has also been broken, leaving the men's toilets out of use.

Telford & Wrekin Council is aware of the graffiti and will send a clean-up team soon.

Councillor Peter Scott, chairman of Newport Town Council's leisure and environmental services committee, urged anyone with information to contact the police.

He said: "The toilets have got a tag on them and it is the same as is on the bus stop by Boots.

"It's a really bad advert for the town. We keep talking about what a lovely place Newport is but people are spoiling it.

"We need to nail this spate of graffiti before it gets any worse.

"If anyone knows who is responsible I'd urge them to contact the police or Crimestoppers," he added.