CCTV appeal following criminal damage in Cheltenham town centre

Officers investigating incidents of criminal damage in Cheltenham have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with this.

A number of incidents of graffiti have taken place in the town centre over recent months and investigating officers are working to identify who is responsible.

Reports have included graffiti tags being sprayed on the walls of independent businesses as well as public car parks and other buildings.

Graffiti is illegal and classed as criminal damage. It can cost businesses and local authorities a large amount of money to remove.

A number of enquiries have taken place since the graffiti first appeared such as speaking to those working at the businesses targeted and liaising with colleagues from partner agencies however officers are now releasing CCTV images in a bid for information from the public.

PC Will Hayes from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We have seen an increased spate of graffiti incidents in Cheltenham Town Centre over the past few months. 

"These acts of criminal damage have caused untold financial stress on local businesses. Cheltenham Borough Council have also been hugely affected, having to spend a large amount of their budget on the cleaning up process when they could be spending it in more fruitful, productive ways, that could impact the town of Cheltenham in a positive way.

"We want to reassure local residents, our partners and businesses, that although there are signs of visible damage in the Town Centre, we take this matter very seriously and are doing our best to identify those responsible."

Anyone who recognises the man pictured or has information about the graffiti is asked to complete the following online form quoting incident 386 of 22 July: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively information can be submitted anonymously by calling the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/