'Senseless' acts of graffiti target police and pandemic

Graffiti is being removed from walls around Skegness.

That is the message as the battle to remove words written to offend the community continues as part of a big clean-up along the coast.

The project is the latest to be undertaken by the Lincolnshire Coastal BID Rangers. Just before Christmas, Rangers repaired benches that had become dangerous to sit on along the promenade at Chapel St Leonards.

This week the Rangers - Sean Ibbertson and Mark Swift - are expecting to spend four days cleaning up graffiti from the Pier to Northshore.

BID Rangers have removed offensive words from the wall.

Main areas affected in Skegness include Prince George Street, the one-way system and bus shelter opposite the Post Office, North Parade sea wall, South Parade promenade, Bottons Fair, and Beachlands B & B.

Chapel St Leonards has also been targeted at the Bus Shelter.

Angela Robinson, Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID marketing and communications officer, said: "The BID Rangers are continuing to do a sweep of all villages within our catchment area to check for any signs of damage and graffiti,

"Sadly, I imagine that the list will continue to grow.

'Kill the police' before it was completely removed from the wall.

"Maybe we need a graffiti wall for these budding artists!! I am sure these kids will run out of spray paint before I run out of patience!! The battle continues!"

East Lindsey District Council commented the Rangers were doing a great job. Portfolio Holder for Operational Services, Councillor Martin Foster, said: “It’s sad to think that a minority of people feel it is OK to break the rules by not staying at home and then to commit a crime by writing senseless graffiti.

"The Rangers are doing great work in cleaning up the eye sores and we thank them for their efforts in helping to keep our coastal towns clean and fresh”.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: "We are aware of some graffiti that has appeared recently, particularly one incident where Covid Lies was spray painted on a fence on Lumley Avenue.

Graffiti removed behind Bottons amusement park at benches on promenade in Skegness.

"We have not identified anyone responsible and appeal for the local community to contact us if they have any information.

"The graffiti has been removed but this has a cost to the local community, both in appearance of their surroundings and the cost of removing the graffiti."

Anyone with information about who is responsible for the graffiti is asked to call police on 101.