Cops tackle graffiti

Police are using a Colwyn Bay graffiti artist to help them tackle a spate of tagging in the town.
Tagging is the spray painting of symbols or lettering on property where there has been no permission given for the act.
The problem in Colwyn Bay has gotten so bad that the police are consulting with a graffiti artist on how to cut down on the vandalism
Sgt Llyr Hughes of the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “There was an emerging trend of graffiti appearing across Colwyn Bay. A multi-agency approach has seen a great deal of work being done, including using a local graffiti artist, to try and understand why this trend has developed and who may be responsible. As a result we have seen a massive reduction in the amount of graffiti but as yet the offender has not been identified.”
Cllr Cheryl Carlisle who represents the Colwyn ward said there was no need for tagging as there were designated areas for graffiti.
She said: “There are tags on the bridge over the A55 by Morrisons, on the side of the shop on the corner of Belgrave Road in Colwyn Bay, and loads on the underpass at the bottom of Queens Road Old Colwyn last time I looked. I have met with our local PCSO and Sergeant to discuss this.
“It is most unwelcome, and is disappointing as we provide spaces for graffiti in Old Colwyn, under Penmaenhead underpass, and are currently getting the necessary permissions for graffiti to be designed and painted on areas of the A55 underpasses in conjunction with our local community.”
And Cllr Abdul Khan, wo represents the Glyn ward, said: “To date the police couldn’t arrest anyone yet, during the summer  I requested the council  cleanup some of the tags and  the council cleaned up twice but the tags keep reappearing.”

By Shane Brennan – Local Democracy Reporter