A TOWN is being plagued by vandals tagging areas with offensive graffiti.

Spray paint has appeared on several buildings in Darlington including the indoor market and the Yorkshire Bank in the town centre.

The buildings have been defaced with accusations wrote in various coloured spray paint throughout the town, making the public believe multiple people are responsible.

The Northern Echo:

Following the damage to Yorkshire Bank, two workers were seen applying paint stripping gel to the stone building and spraying the area with a pressure washer.

Darlington Borough Council said they had also been out to clean the affected areas and were aware of the vandalism damaging the town.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Our staff were out earlier today to clear it. Most of it has now been cleared, apart from one site near the indoor market which will be cleaned first thing in the morning.”

Shoppers in the town centre also expressed their concerns about the vandalism and many Darlington residents took to a community Facebook group to share their frustration.

The Northern Echo:

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College student, Dylan Wills, was one shopper who felt the graffiti made the town look unpleasant

The 16-year-old said: “I find the graffiti a pointless endeavour to be honest. The people who are doing it are wasting time drawing on something which isn’t theirs. It will only be removed later.

“I think if they’re going to draw on something why not put it on something permanent like an actual canvas. It makes the place look scruffy because it’s not even good graffiti. I think it would be different if it was a piece of artwork but it’s just writing.

“I really don’t understand why they have done this because it will be really expensive to remove and isn’t worth it.”

Other areas which were vandalised included the HSBC Bank and a raised ball plant holder in the town centre.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “Damaging property with graffiti is a criminal offence under the Criminal Damage act 1971 and this type of anti-social behaviour is not tolerated.

“We do believe the incidents are linked and are being carried out by one individual.

“Our investigations into identifying the suspect are ongoing.”

The town has had problems with graffiti in the past as earlier this year a sandwich shop on Post House Wynd in the town centre was broken into and the walls were graffitied, forcing the shop to temporarily close.