A DEFUNCT CTTV camera should be turned back on to protect a piece of community artwork, a councillor has demanded.

The impressive mural depicting legendary basketballer Michael Jordan in Monkwick, Colchester, has been vandalised several times.

Essex county councillor Dave Harris used about £2,000 of his County Hall locality budget to pay for the artwork to be installed at the School Road play area in 2021.

He and fellow Berechurch councillor Martyn Warnes were left “shocked and absolutely gutted” after it was covered in graffiti at the end of July.

Gazette: Damaged - the Michael Jordan mural has been left damaged following the removal of graffitiDamaged - the Michael Jordan mural has been left damaged following the removal of graffiti (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Warnes has now called for a defunct CCTV camera overlooking the mural and basketball court to be switched back on in a bid to catch the culprit.

He said putting a coat of varnish over the artwork did not protect its quality from diminishing when scrubbing off the graffiti.

“Rather than seeing this inspiring mural of a basketball player, all your attention is focused on the fact it has been spoilt by a mindless person,” said Mr Warnes.

“That takes away future generations from wanting to go to the basketball court and being inspired to keep on practicing and chasing their own ambitions.

Gazette: Defunct - Martyn Warnes has called for the CCTV camera to be switched back onDefunct - Martyn Warnes has called for the CCTV camera to be switched back on (Image: Newsquest)

“I hope the person responsible will be caught and not seek again to ruin a nice piece of community art.”

The concerns are to be met with disappointment, however, with Colchester Council unable to bring the CCTV camera back into use.

A spokesman said the council understands the concerns of residents but stated the camera has been out of order “for many years”.

“When it did work and anti-social behaviour was reported, it fell out the range of the camera and was ineffective in deterring anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Gazette: Disgusted - Dave Harris said he was 'appalled' to find the mural had been covered by graffiti Disgusted - Dave Harris said he was 'appalled' to find the mural had been covered by graffiti (Image: Newsquest)

“We are committed to keeping our communities clean and safe, but we need to make sure that our resources are used in the most effective way while we work on other measures to improve safety in the play area, such as increasing patrols by our community wardens.

“At this time, we do not believe that replacing the camera is the best way to address antisocial behaviour in the area.

“However, we will continue to monitor the situation and consider doing so if we believe it is necessary.”