Cash reward on offer to help catch Hythe graffiti artist

Over Christmas parts of the Hythe area in Colchester, particularly around King Edward Quay and up Hythe Hill, have been plagued by graffitists.

Artwork has included proclamations of "Merry Xmas" and "Where is the love?" as well as featuring huge identifying tags belonging to the artists.

Hythe has several legal graffiti spots which are regularly used by artists in the area and residents are concerned at the spate of vandalism.

Vandalism - Hythe has been plagued by graffiti over Christmas

Ward councillor Lee Scordis said the graffiti was unacceptable and is offering £100 of his own money to anyone who can help identify the culprits.

Mr Scordis (Lab, Old Heath and Hythe) said: "For too long we have seen the Hythe targeted by graffiti taggers.

"I refuse to call them graffiti artists as they are not, at best they are childish scrawls.

"There are legitimate graffiti walls for artists in the area.

"I am offering £100 to anyone who can supply information of the identity of these taggers, especially someone who regularly tags the area with the slogan 'Shok'."

Reward - £100 is on offer for information which will help catch the culprits

Mr Scordis believes the culprits are from the area as it seems to be the same tags which are appearing on a regular basis.

The main culprit seems to be an artist who goes by the name "Shok" and decorates walls with the letter SK.

Art? - taggers have been targeting bus stops and walls in Hythe, Colchester

He said: "Mr Shok did graffiti one wall wishing people a Merry Christmas.

"I think the best Christmas present they could give locals is to not vandalise the area and take some art lessons.

"It is likely they live locally as New Town and Greenstead seem to suffer from the same tags."

You can contact Mr Scordis on cllr.lee.scordis@colchester.gov.uk.