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Graffiti louts go on city centre rampage
8:36am Thursday 3rd April 2008
Comments (65)DOZENS of city centre homes and shops were plastered in green, pink and silver paint after "mindless" graffiti vandals went on a one-night scrawling spree.
The offenders, whose handiwork has caused thousands of pounds of damage across York, are now wanted by police after being caught on CCTV cameras by The Press.
More than 40 city centre properties were targeted during the attack in the early hours of Wednesday.
North Yorkshire Police said it was one of the worst cases they had seen in York.
A spokesman for the force said: "The length of Aldwark and Walmgate is totally obliterated with graffiti. Some of it is spray painted, some of it is pen. There has been a hell of a lot of damage and it's going to take at least two days for us to get photos and take down all the crime reports."
CCTV footage from cameras rigged up at The Press offices in Walmgate captured the attack on the furniture shop, G A White, just before 3.40am. We have now handed this recording over to the police to help with their investigation.
The police spokesman said: "This is really helpful and we would like to hear from anybody else who witnessed the incidents or who also has CCTV footage.
"We believe the incidents in Aldwark and Walmgate are linked. We have identified two different graffiti tags - "Clemie" and "Tacrew" - and these appear in both streets."
One of the worst hit properties was Bowes Morrell House, in Walmgate - a timber-framed 14th century grade two star listed building.
Richard Brown, property manager for York Conservation Trust, said he was "disgusted" by what had happened.
He said: "We're doing our best to conserve these buildings and then these mindless idiots come along and you can't do anything about it because we can't catch them."
The front of the Age Concern shop in Walmgate was also completely defaced by the vandals, at a cost of more than £300 to the charity. Manager Terry Cogan said: "We've had small bits of graffiti in the past, but this is on a whole new scale. It's horrendous. We're a charity for goodness sake, and redoing the paintwork is going to take money away from the vulnerable people that need it. The people that did this have no social responsibility. They are idiots. I just hope that they are caught and dealt with appropriately."
Coun Dave Taylor, who represents the Green Party in City of York Council, urged anybody with any information about the incident to get in touch with the police.
He said: "I hope they catch these people and chain them to it until they clean it off."
City of York Council's director of neighbourhood services, Terry Collins, said vandalism of this nature would not be tolerated. He said: "We will be monitoring our existing CCTV cameras to see if we can catch the perpetrators and we intend to use covert cameras in the future."
A council spokesperson said a specialised team of cleaners might be able to offer some residents help in removing the graffiti tags.
If you have any information, phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 247.
Counting the cost of tag' attacks
HORRIFIED residents are counting the cost after waking up to find their properties hit by one of the worst graffiti attacks seen in York.
One home-owner whose garage was completely covered in graffiti, said Wednesday night's vandalism was the last straw.
The Aldwark resident, who wished not to be named, said: "This is the worst it's ever been. We've been here 25 years, but I think it's time to sell up and move on. If this is York, then I don't want any more of it. I call it Beirut now."
Neighbourhood watch coordinator, Rod Hodgson, said it was the first time the whole street had been targeted.
He said: "We're talking about garage doors, windows, shutters - all having been tagged. We are extremely annoyed. The council do a good job of coming down to remove it from time to time but this is such a big job."
Another resident who lives at Oliver Sheldon House - a Georgian property in Aldwark restored by York Civic Trust - said it was a real shame.
He did not wish to be named, but said: "These people are mindless. They wouldn't like it if someone did it to their homes, so why do it to others?
"I'm not even going to bother cleaning it up because I know it will just happen again."
Debbie Sykes, who works at Walmgate Newsagents and Grocers, said businesses in Walmgate would start to suffer if the graffiti vandals struck again.
She said: "We're very angry. It won't come off and we're going to have to get it repainted, which of course costs money. If it happens again, it will start to detract business from the street because nobody will want to come down here."
Meanwhile, Coun Brian Watson, who represents the Guildhall ward, raised concerns that York's reputation as a beautiful city would be ruined.
He said: "The individuals that are doing it are mindless and I don't know what pleasure they get from it - it's not as if it's artistic.
"It's going to cost residents and shops money to get it off and it doesn't create a good impression for tourists. Most people are trying really hard to keep York looking nice, but these people have just come through and spoiled it."
Have your say
What do you think about the York graffiti vandals?
Your Say YourYork Press
Voice Of reason, says...
9:16am Thu 3 Apr 08
Jo, York says...
9:20am Thu 3 Apr 08
bjc, York says...
9:33am today Thu 3 Apr 08
Bl**dy morons.
SilverSurfer, Surfing says...
9:37am Thu 3 Apr 08
Ghost in the machine, Trapped in cyber space says...
9:51am Thu 3 Apr 08
Stephen, York says...
9:52am Thu 3 Apr 08
The local bobby comes rushing in onlyl seconds later.
Grandfathers father says "You know where he is"
The local bobby walks up stairs, drags grandfather out from under the bed and gives him 10 wacks on the backside with his leather belt and leaves the house.
Grandfather grows up to be a highly respected member of the community.
Moral of the story todays society is too politically correct and soft on any offender.
Forcing teenagers to accept minimum wages all the time and the constant removal of places for them to go in the evenings does not help our society neither.
oli4uk, York says...
9:54am Thu 3 Apr 08
hustler, York says...
9:54am Thu 3 Apr 08
HOBBIT, at work says...
10:08am Thu 3 Apr 08
Jo wrote:well im kinda that area so im assuming it was.... Anyway, they could all do with a good smacked bum!
Aldwark was targetted last week too. Probably the same little scrotes. Hope they get caught.
ouserower, york says...
10:09am Thu 3 Apr 08
Barrisimo, York says...
10:19am Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused, says...
10:19am Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused, says...
10:22am Thu 3 Apr 08
I reported a large group of vandals with spraypaint in the city centre on Tuesday evening, the police did not seem very interested - their response to me was : 'Don't they have security guards there to deal with that?' Their parents should be charged for the offences - maybe then they will teach their kids to have some respect.
I'd be thinking more in having the officer(s) concerned charged with neglect of duty and dismissed.
Fi, Fulford says...
10:25am Thu 3 Apr 08
They're not worth the effort and money society spend on them, these people.
sayitasitis, YORK says...
10:30am Thu 3 Apr 08
The yobbo is at it again,no respect for anybody or anybodys property whatsoever.
wise_owl, yo30 says...
10:40am Thu 3 Apr 08
Voice Of reason wrote:If you've reported any of the lads who did this i can assure you none of them are wastes of space. they've all been lead off the tracks i will admit but they've all been amazing friends to me and helped me through some real hard times. don't judge people please.
I have reported someone who I'm 99% sure was one of the vandals. The kid is a waste of space.
my opinion, york says...
10:42am Thu 3 Apr 08
Jason, says...
10:44am Thu 3 Apr 08
The likes of the little tw*t TAC might think again when he has a couple of hundred small claims cases against him.
Brian, york says...
10:54am Thu 3 Apr 08
Voice Of reason, says...
10:56am Thu 3 Apr 08
If you've reported any of the lads who did this i can assure you none of them are wastes of space. they've all been lead off the tracks i will admit but they've all been amazing friends to me and helped me through some real hard times. don't judge people please.
WTF?
misskittie, York says...
11:00am Thu 3 Apr 08
And Aldwark is about as far from Beruit as the moon. Have a word with yourself, or indeed, try moving to Gipton/Belle Isle in Leeds for the more authentic Beruit style experience.
wise_owl, yo30 says...
11:04am Thu 3 Apr 08
Voice Of reason wrote:no idea what's confusing about that mate, it's pretty **** straightforward. they're criminals that deserve to be punished but they're not 'worthless scum' as yo u all seem to put it. tbh i think there's some big frustration if you have to go on the press site and talk about how much you'd love to kill people. maybe the police should be having a look at you too?
If you've reported any of the lads who did this i can assure you none of them are wastes of space. they've all been lead off the tracks i will admit but they've all been amazing friends to me and helped me through some real hard times. don't judge people please.
WTF?
wise_owl, yo30 says...
11:05am Thu 3 Apr 08
Voice Of reason wrote:no idea what's confusing about that mate, it's pretty **** straightforward. they're criminals that deserve to be punished but they're not 'worthless scum' as yo u all seem to put it. tbh i think there's some big frustration if you have to go on the press site and talk about how much you'd love to kill people. maybe the police should be having a look at you too?
If you've reported any of the lads who did this i can assure you none of them are wastes of space. they've all been lead off the tracks i will admit but they've all been amazing friends to me and helped me through some real hard times. don't judge people please.
WTF?
Voice Of reason, says...
11:08am Thu 3 Apr 08
wise_owl, yo30 says...
11:09am Thu 3 Apr 08
Mark5691, York says...
11:17am Thu 3 Apr 08
I agree however that the art next to the Clifton Bingo site is excellent.
Is it just because they have targeted a middle class area that people take notice of this ?
By the way they also targeted Tadcaster Road as well - God knows what the tourists think !!
BL, says...
11:19am Thu 3 Apr 08
wise_owl wrote:Get a life please...
get back to your office job you **** waste.
misskittie, York says...
11:28am Thu 3 Apr 08
mrfox, herethereandeverywhe
re says...
11:45am Thu 3 Apr 08
AdmiralN, York Centre says...
11:49am Thu 3 Apr 08
wise_owl has a point, they are criminals and deserve what they get from the law
I think the point here is that they wont 'get what they deserve' the offenders will more than likely be given a slap on the wrist and sent on their way, However the victims have to buy cleaning materials and spend their time cleaning the mess up (on some surfaces the stuff is near impossible to get off) i think that you have a slightly blinkered view misskittie, what would your reaction be if you came out of your house one morning to find graffiti over your car, or house, or bicycle or jack russell?
Silverfox part deux, York says...
12:10pm Thu 3 Apr 08
wise_owl wrote:Ha go get depressed and get a spray can to cheer you up!!! Or go visit the yo30 crew..!!
get back to your office job you **** waste.
techie, york says...
12:22pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Silverfox part deux, York says...
12:24pm Thu 3 Apr 08
HOBBIT wrote:Did it look good?
Someone spraypainted my boyfriends van as well....
Jo, York says...
12:26pm Thu 3 Apr 08
techie wrote:I disagree. The Banksy stuff which appeared on the Palestinian side of the Israeli wall is wonderful.
Let's get it straight, there is no such thing as GOOD graffiti it is all criminal damage and should be dealt with as such!
John, says...
1:00pm Thu 3 Apr 08
marky, york says...
1:36pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused wrote:Targeting motorists!!
Another example of how control of the streets has been lost. Where were the police whilst this is happening and appearing on CCTV?
misskittie, York says...
1:49pm Thu 3 Apr 08
AdmiralN wrote:Example: Two kids kicking a ball against my house in South Bank circa 2005. I go out and threaten them with police, violence and harsh language. They take no notice, verbally abuse me, and then carry on worse than before. My other half goes out and suggests that instead of hitting the house, do they need a lift to the park or would they fancy a trip to the Leeds Climbing Wall/Bowling Alley for something different to do, our treat. Lads are overwhelmed that someone makes the effort with them, they stop immediately, take the lift to the park and have been absolute angels ever since in our street. They even helped me with the shopping from the car the other day. Without nicking something I might add... Blinkered am i? I don't think so...
wise_owl has a point, they are criminals and deserve what they get from the lawI think the point here is that they wont 'get what they deserve' the offenders will more than likely be given a slap on the wrist and sent on their way, However the victims have to buy cleaning materials and spend their time cleaning the mess up (on some surfaces the stuff is near impossible to get off) i think that you have a slightly blinkered view misskittie, what would your reaction be if you came out of your house one morning to find graffiti over your car, or house, or bicycle or jack russell?
Silverfox part deux, York says...
1:56pm Thu 3 Apr 08
misskittie wrote:Breathe of fresh air! When i was a lad all we used to get was evils looks and abuse for playing football late. The more abuse we got the more we played. When someone nice came and asked us tho and empathised with us we were fine and no trouble would be caused. Instead the youth just get blamed for most things when actually talking to them makes the most difference.
AdmiralN wrote:Example: Two kids kicking a ball against my house in South Bank circa 2005. I go out and threaten them with police, violence and harsh language. They take no notice, verbally abuse me, and then carry on worse than before. My other half goes out and suggests that instead of hitting the house, do they need a lift to the park or would they fancy a trip to the Leeds Climbing Wall/Bowling Alley for something different to do, our treat. Lads are overwhelmed that someone makes the effort with them, they stop immediately, take the lift to the park and have been absolute angels ever since in our street. They even helped me with the shopping from the car the other day. Without nicking something I might add... Blinkered am i? I don't think so...wise_owl has a point, they are criminals and deserve what they get from the lawI think the point here is that they wont 'get what they deserve' the offenders will more than likely be given a slap on the wrist and sent on their way, However the victims have to buy cleaning materials and spend their time cleaning the mess up (on some surfaces the stuff is near impossible to get off) i think that you have a slightly blinkered view misskittie, what would your reaction be if you came out of your house one morning to find graffiti over your car, or house, or bicycle or jack russell?
exYorkist, USA says...
2:15pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Oh no, wait; it's because of immigration. The kids don't feel that they have a future because the immigrants are taking all the jobs, so they take out their frustrations through vandalism.
It's one or the other. Can't just be scrotes acting like scrotes.
exYorkist, USA says...
2:16pm Thu 3 Apr 08
bjc wrote:Wishful thinking...you know it'll never happen! I agree with you, though. They should be forced to scrub every last molecule of paint/marker/whateve
I do hope that when these cretins are caught(?!)they not only get heavily fined and punished, but are made to clean up every property they targeted...and pay for the cleaning materials. Bl**dy morons.
r off everything they vandalised.
exYorkist, USA says...
2:18pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused wrote:Probably fielding calls from concerned citizens, telling them all in a way to kindly pee off and that they have better things to do...then they all turn back to their greasy takeaway and tabloids whilst ignoring the images on the CCTV monitors of scrotes on the rampage in the city centre.
Another example of how control of the streets has been lost. Where were the police whilst this is happening and appearing on CCTV?
Probably not far off.
Silverfox part deux, York says...
2:26pm Thu 3 Apr 08
exYorkist, USA says...
2:30pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Silverfox part deux wrote:Then why have them? They don't appear to prevent crime and the images on them are often useless. Why shell out the money for the system when you could just put cops out on the street to catch the scrotes in person?
Ha do we all just think that the coppers just sit there in a room with all the cctv camera footage? Wrong. Its simple a methord or recording incase. You can not make out the images on half of them either.
Silverfox part deux, York says...
2:35pm Thu 3 Apr 08
exYorkist wrote:Because the system would be long term cheaper then empolying more officers to do shift work. Some of the images do work but most are useless. As for me knowing why ave them. Afraid your asking the wrong person.
Silverfox part deux wrote: Ha do we all just think that the coppers just sit there in a room with all the cctv camera footage? Wrong. Its simple a methord or recording incase. You can not make out the images on half of them either.Then why have them? They don't appear to prevent crime and the images on them are often useless. Why shell out the money for the system when you could just put cops out on the street to catch the scrotes in person?
exYorkist, USA says...
2:42pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Silverfox part deux wrote:I dunno, I found the police's attitude to crime incredibly frustrating. My house was burgled, the police couldn't have cared less. My car was vandalised, the police couldn't have cared less. Homes and shops in my neighbourhood were vandalised and people saw the people doing it and called the police, and the police didn't come for several hours. Conclusion: they don't care and can't be bothered.
exYorkist wrote:Because the system would be long term cheaper then empolying more officers to do shift work. Some of the images do work but most are useless. As for me knowing why ave them. Afraid your asking the wrong person.Silverfox part deux wrote: Ha do we all just think that the coppers just sit there in a room with all the cctv camera footage? Wrong. Its simple a methord or recording incase. You can not make out the images on half of them either.Then why have them? They don't appear to prevent crime and the images on them are often useless. Why shell out the money for the system when you could just put cops out on the street to catch the scrotes in person?
Silverfox part deux, York says...
2:52pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused, says...
3:10pm Thu 3 Apr 08
I found the police's attitude to crime incredibly frustrating. My house was burgled, the police couldn't have cared less. My car was vandalised, the police couldn't have cared less. Homes and shops in my neighbourhood were vandalised and people saw the people doing it and called the police, and the police didn't come for several hours. Conclusion: they don't care and can't be bothered.
That's the usual experience nowadays, but let's not put up with the sh1te, lies, and spin as to how effing good they are, and how safe a place York is. If reports of crime are low it's because most of us know it's a waste of bloody time phoning them, unless you are claiming on insurance.
The police today are a joke whose wages we are paying.
Anastasia Beaverhuizen, says...
3:34pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Pedro, York says...
3:46pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Tom, London says...
4:32pm Thu 3 Apr 08
"This is the worst it's ever been. We've been here 25 years, but I think it's time to sell up and move on. If this is York, then I don't want any more of it. I call it Beirut now."Almost the funniest thing I read today. I've read the word mindless quite a few times on this page. I sincerely think you are underestimating the idea that these people were in that frame of mind. It is far more likely that they thought about aquiring and purchasing the implements to carry out their work, then they planned when they would do it, then thought about how to execute it. I think it looks quite an attractive for a tag, i've seen alot worse. I think its a bit harsh to do it on a grade 2 listed building but some people are naive. Give them a legal wall in some field and i'm sure they'll get bored of it. Most of you above are just as niave.
Walt, York says...
4:36pm Thu 3 Apr 08
AdmiralN, York Centre says...
4:48pm Thu 3 Apr 08
my opinion, york says...
5:48pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Bemused, says...
6:01pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Rush-hour chaos as teen threatens city suicide leap
A head shot should have brought him down!
Jo, York says...
6:12pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Walt wrote:What a terrific idea!
There's no deterrent. We all know that justice in this country is a sham. It's time for vigilantes to take over.
/sarcasm
Bemused, says...
6:25pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Posted by: Jo, York on 6:12pm today
Walt wrote: There's no deterrent. We all know that justice in this country is a sham. It's time for vigilantes to take over.What a terrific idea! /sarcasm
Walt wrote:
There's no deterrent. We all know that justice in this country is a sham. It's time for vigilantes to take over.
What a terrific idea!
/sarcasm
It could happen, and that's a very worrying idea.
Voice of reason, York says...
6:29pm Thu 3 Apr 08
String 'em up and birch 'em!
my opinion, york says...
6:47pm Thu 3 Apr 08
even if they caught them theyd probably get probation or something and they are good at getting kids sorted out with accommodation and grants and things,its a bit like having a PA,petty crime like this can be quite beneficial to the criminal.
Silver, York says...
7:10pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Plaggy Terry, Classic Cnuts says...
8:52pm Thu 3 Apr 08
HOBBIT wrote:Did it add value to his rusty old shed ?
Someone spraypainted my boyfriends van as well....
leave a note on the window ask them to spray over the rust next time
sum ppl r never happy
yo30 DAN, clifton says...
8:54pm Thu 3 Apr 08
my opinion, york says...
9:56pm Thu 3 Apr 08
yo30 DAN wrote:no I like graffiti also
AM I THE ONLY PERSON WHO ACTUALLY LIKES GRAFFITI?? makes the streets look less 'bricky'. and yes, if someone tagged my house or my car i'd probably leave it there
Silver, York says...
10:15pm Thu 3 Apr 08
my opinion wrote:Ok let it spread to your neighbours have you ever heard of the broken window syndrome? where the problem gets worse and your window gets broken because it sends the message the problem is allowable to get worse. You should remove it to send out the message you will not take it. I like the banksy style art but just to put up junk is like covering your house in litter and being proud of it.
yo30 DAN wrote: AM I THE ONLY PERSON WHO ACTUALLY LIKES GRAFFITI?? makes the streets look less 'bricky'. and yes, if someone tagged my house or my car i'd probably leave it thereno I like graffiti also
my opinion, york says...
11:28pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Paint daubed outside St Denys's Church
Graffiti left on the historic Bowes Morrell House
Sally Hutchinson and Terry Cogan, of Age Concern, in the charity shop's doorway in Walmgate
Graffiti in the Aldwark area of the city
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HOBBIT, at work says...
8:58am Thu 3 Apr 08