Vandalism ‘epidemic’ (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Vandalism ‘epidemic’

11:35am Saturday 9th September 2006 in

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LEVELS of tagging and graffiti have risen to "epidemic" levels in Highams Park over the last six months, says a concerned resident.

The man, whose Highams Park business has been vandalised, does not wish to be identified because he is afraid of reprisals. He said: "Youths are targeting businesses and private property. It is getting worse and it seems this is an epidemic. The streets are turning into Dalston."

Waltham Forest Council should invest in more recreational facilities and youth clubs to keep young people off the streets, he added.

Toufi Thdjime, owner of Cafe de Medi in Winchester Road, said: "There are groups of young people who hang around and they intimidate the customers, but if you ask them to move they ignore you."

He added that troublemakers had vandalised the walls outside his cafe and the walls of the building next door.

Gill Bateman, who works at the Independent Travel Agent, also in Winchester Road, said: "I haven't had any trouble myself but there are a lot of kids hanging around who look like they should be in school when they are on the streets."

Another trader said: "There are people causing trouble and fighting with each other."

She added that she was fortunate because her business had not been targeted by taggers or vandals yet.

A council spokesperson said: "The council currently spends more than £100,000 a year on removing graffiti and earlier this year employed a third two-person crew to tackle the problem.

"These teams deal exclusively with graffiti with a 24-hour priority placed on removing racist and sexually offensive material.

"The council will be refocusing its efforts with a concerted campaign starting in the autumn.

"It recognises this as a priority for many local residents."

Graffiti painted on privately owned buildings will be removed by the council but the individual concerned would have to pay for its removal, he added.