POLICE are investigating a series of criminal damage in Bude, after graffiti, or ‘tagging’, has been discovered on numerous properties.

Over the weekend, Bude Police posted their response to the damage on their Facebook page, and are now welcoming anyone with information to come forward, to help them in their investigations.

PC Stephen South, of Bude Police, said: “When I arrived in Bude, back in 2002, one of the most noticeable aspects of policing Bude was the distinct lack of graffiti in the town. This made a refreshing change, from the area I previously policed, where it was unfortunately common place.”

However, PC South went on to explain that since November 2016, there has been a ‘substantial increase in graffiti, also known as ‘tagging’ on properties in Bude’. This has mainly appeared on and to the rear of business premises in and around the Bude area, and also on other properties, including some private house walls and electric meter boxes.

Police are now investigating this, as it is criminal damage.

The police response to this has been to place plain-clothes officers on patrol, and they have said that they will ‘continue to do so’. They have also interviewed a number of young people in Bude, in connection with these offences, and there is also CCTV footage of criminal damage being carried out to properties.

PC South continued: “We are working to identify these individuals, who always wear hooded clothing to try and disguise their faces.

“In the meantime, I am asking the residents of Bude to report any suspicious activity, which they believe may be related to persons who are ‘tagging’ and blighting the town the majority of us respect as a place to both live and work.

“Looking at social media, such as ‘Love Bude’ and ‘Bude Banter’, we are acutely aware of how hard the community at large work to make our town a special place. This was recently recognised as Bude won the British Travel Awards in 2016 as the best British coastal resort.”

If anyone has any information or has seen suspicious activity occurring in the area, any private message to Bude Police on their Facebook page will be treated in confidence. Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111. If any criminal damage is seen taking place, call 999. Otherwise call 101 or email the local police at [email protected].

PC South added: “We cannot allow a small minority of individuals to tarnish the reputation that you have built. You are the eyes and ears to help us to bring these people to account.”