A reward of up to £200 is being offered to anyone who can help shop the culprits behind a spate of graffiti in Sidmouth town centre.
Shop owners were left angered last week to find fluorescent pink spray-paint ‘tagged’ on their premises – but Sergeant Andy Squires has a plan to clean up the streets.
As well as netting the reward from the East Devon Community Safety Partnership, he is asking residents if they would be willing to help tackle the tags.
Sgt Squires said the culprits get kudos from having their work in prominent places, but if the tags get scrubbed off soon after, they quickly lose interest.
Residents banded together on his previous beat in Exmouth, tackling the issue as a community for those who are unable to clean the paint off themselves.
Anyone interested in helping to address the issue should get in touch with Sgt Squires on 101.
East Devon District Council’s StreetScene will clear up council-owned buildings but it is otherwise up to individuals to sort their property.
Graffiti qualifies as criminal damage and the perpetrators face a fine of up to £1,000 or three months’ imprisonment.
Anyone affected should take a photograph in evidence for the police and then clean off the tag.
To offer any information about the graffiti, call 101.
There are similar issues in Ottery so the £200 reward could be shared between those who offer information leading to an arrest there, too.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here