A spate of graffiti writing in Brightlingsea that has seen signs, walls and vehicles vandalised is being investigated by police.
Damage to signboards in Victoria Place was discovered early on Sunday morning (September 1), and a spray can was recovered nearby. Later in the week, a van in Eastern Road was ‘tagged’.
Other locations include the wall of the River Colne Café, the public toilets in Station Road, the wall of the Spar shop facing Hall Cut and a fence near the exit of the car park behind the council offices in Victoria Place
The different styles suggest that more than one person is committing the damage. One perpetrator may have been seen by a resident who posted on local social media. The post said that they had seen a male acting suspiciously at the top of Ladysmith Avenue, but who ran off before they could be clearly identified.
The person was described as aged 18-20, with a spotty forehead, wearing a grey track suit and black trainers. The bottom half of his face was covered and he was carrying a black rucksack with a white label on the bottom right.
Brightlingsea Town Council (BTC) says it is “extremely concerned” about the incidents. In a statement, the council said: “We are in contact with the local police in an attempt to apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible. We ask all local residents who have been a victim to immediately report the crime to the police and obtain an incident number. In this way we be can ensured that Essex Police will prioritise following up these incidents.”
The council also encouraged residents with any information relating to the incidents to contact report them on the Essex Police website, by calling 101, or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. In an emergency, or if someone is at immediate risk, call 999.
The town map and Gratitude Garden signs were cleaned by Brightlingsea Town Councillor Kerry Pentney and Andrew Mills of the Brightlingsea Litter Pickers group.
Later in the week, Cllr Pentney also cleaned up the recycling point in Fiveways’ car park, where a large amount of rubbish and garden waste had been dumped. Before and after pictures can be seen below,
Dumping of rubbish at the site, and at the recycling point in the YMCA car park, has been an ongoing problem and BTC is said to be examining what deterrent action can be taken.
• Thanks to Andrew Mills for the graffiti pictures.
