Plea to Newport youngsters after graffiti attacks
A councillor has pleaded with youngsters to tell him what facilities they want after an outbreak of graffiti.
Newport has been hit with vandalism in the last fortnight with Victoria Park, Stafford Street car park and bus shelters attacked with spray paint.
Councillor Rodney Pitt said he found the vandalism "sad" and that he believed it is a result of boredom.
He urged youngsters to come forward with ideas to keep them off the streets and causing trouble.
Councillor Pitt said: "I'm disgusted because Newport is typically a graffiti-free town.
"The young people have shown over the years a great deal of respect for where they live and I've got a great deal of respect for them.
"It's particularly sad to see public buildings like the toilets vandalised as the council has spent a lot of money on them.
"I would love to get to the bottom of the problem and find out why this is happening all of a sudden."
Councillor Pitt said he was willing to talk to young people or to take ideas anonymously.
"I want the young people to come forward and to express their needs to the council," he said.
"It's difficult for us to know what facilities the young people want if they do not tell us. If there is anything I can do to help I will.
"The young people are very important to the future of this town.
"It's a great shame if a crime like this causes us to condemn the youth of this town when it's probably just one or two people who are bored and don't have anything better to do."
West Mercia Police said they have been made aware of at least three incidents in the past two weeks and are appealing for information to catch the offenders.
Councillor Pitt can be contacted on 07828500794.
