Yahoo News Grimsby town centre targeted in 'absurd' spate of graffiti and vandalism
Grimsby town centre has been targeted by vandals in an "absurd" spate of graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
Early on Thursday morning, crews from North East Lincolnshire Council's Street Cleansing team discovered a number of crude images graffitied in red spray paint across shop fronts, planters and pavements throughout the town centre.
Along with this, a cast iron bench had been torn from its mountings, close to the junction of Victoria Street and George Street. Crews subsequently taped off the bench and removed the graffiti.
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The incident comes just days after a number of railings surrounding the River Freshney at the Riverhead were removed and thrown into the river. A set of railings near the bus stops were also removed. As a precaution, both sections have now been cordoned off with hazard tape as the Council works to restore them as soon as possible.
Staff at NELC are now reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to obtain any evidence in relation to these incidents. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Humberside Police on the 101 non-emergency number quoting the crime number 24000067596.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger communities, said: “This behaviour is frankly deplorable.
“To damage and deface local amenities that are there for people’s safety or comfort is absurd. As a Council, we do what we can to make the town centre an enjoyable and safe space for everyone.
“With regeneration of the wider area and refurbishment of sites like St. James’ Square in recent years, Grimsby is becoming a more and more desirable place to be.
“However, the minority appear to want to ruin this for the rest of us. North East Lincolnshire Council operates a zero tolerance policy when it comes to incidents such as this.
“The person or people responsible for all of these acts of vandalism will be made to pay for their actions, no one should feel they can detract from our borough through criminality.
He added: “I would also like to thank our Street Cleansing operatives who had the foresight and quick reactions to make the area safe and remove the crude graffiti. They are a credit to North East Lincolnshire Council.”
