COLCHESTER council’s neighbourhood teams have been urged to “put the pedal to the metal” on tackling graffiti in Berechurch.

Councillor Martyn Warnes said the ward has a “long running problem” with buildings and property being vandalised by graffiti.

He told a Colchester Council cabinet meeting there is a “prolific tag artist” blighting the area and called for a meeting between the council and the police to help tackle them.

“This is a tagger who considerable resources from the street care team has gone into and which I have had to back up myself,” said Mr Warnes.

Gazette: Issue - Martyn Warnes has called for action against graffitiIssue - Martyn Warnes has called for action against graffiti (Image: Martyn Warnes)

Gazette: Mindless - a vandalised bus signMindless - a vandalised bus sign (Image: Martyn Warnes)

“I’ve had to physically remove [graffiti] to try to keep on top of this situation.

“The problem I’m finding is obviously I can’t go on doing that forever and nor should I, I’m just a volunteer not a paid member of staff.

“I have been overwhelmed at times so I need to know that the relevant incidents are being logged in a way that the police are actually able to use them.”

Mr Warnes added: “If we could put our pedal to the metal to resolve the issue I would be grateful.”

Gazette: Eyesore - graffiti spotted in Berechurch wardEyesore - graffiti spotted in Berechurch ward (Image: Martyn Warnes)

In response, Colchester Council’s neighbourhood services and waste chief Martin Goss said the issue is “challenging” to tackle.

He said the council employs just one full-time officer who focuses on removing graffiti.

“Graffiti is something which, I think for many of us, is the bane of our lives,” said Mr Goss.

“It doesn’t just happen in Berechurch it happens in Mile End, it happens in Stanway, it happens in every ward in Colchester.

Gazette: Thumbs down - a fed up Martyn WarnesThumbs down - a fed up Martyn Warnes (Image: Martyn Warnes)

“However, you are right that some areas have more prolific graffiti tagging then others and there have been some high profile cases where some people have been caught.

“The challenge is you have to catch the people doing it at the time and that is one of the big issues.

“I will pick it up because like you I spend many hours going round removing graffiti.”

Mr Goss added Colchester’s police officers have a database storing graffiti tags sprayed in the city.