Dyfed Powys Police: Can You Help?

Aberystwyth Neighbourhood Policing Team is appealing to the public for any information that will help them identify those responsible for a recent spate of graffiti across Aberystwyth town.

Since November, 11 separate reports of graffiti have been recorded and investigated by police in the town. Most of this graffiti has occurred in public spaces or locations that are clearly visible to the public.

Graffiti is an offence of criminal damage and is also an example of antisocial behaviour. It takes time and money to clean up the mess but can also negatively impact upon the community by detracting from people’s enjoyment of an area and it can instil perceptions of criminality and lack of safety.

Of particular concern is that three of the incidents have been recorded as hate crimes because the graffiti showed hostility towards racial and religious groups from our community.

Sergeant Marc Davies, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We understand the impact antisocial behaviour such as this can have on people’s lives as well as the wider community’s enjoyment of the town and its open spaces. We take all reports seriously and each of these incidents has been investigated. Unfortunately, so far we have not been able to identify those responsible.

“These crimes are typically being committed in public spaces so I would encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to the police as well as to pass on any information that will help us catch those responsible.

If you discover any graffiti we are asking that you photograph it before trying to clean it up, and report it to police.”

Alun Williams, Acting Chair of the Ceredigion Community Safety Partnership, said: “Ceredigion is a beautiful part of Wales and we pride ourselves on keeping our towns and villages as attractive to visitors and residents as possible. The recent spate of graffiti in Aberystwyth is not acceptable and the Community Safety Partnership fully supports police colleagues in treating it as criminal damage. Partners are committed to combatting Anti-Social Behaviour and are confident that the public and agencies will work together to ensure we keep Aberystwyth, and the whole of Ceredigion a pleasant place to live and visit.”

You can report all incidents, or contact us with any information online: http://orlo.uk/tOmE8, on email: 101@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or call 101. If you want to provide information anonymously you can do so via the independent charity CrimeStoppers – http://orlo.uk/w2ZoX or 0800 555 111.