A SPATE of graffiti attacks in Wickford is being investigated by police.

The latest attack was on a changing room block in recreation grounds off Alderney Gardens.

The vandals scrawled the tags 3 Oman and Ghost across the building in black paint.

These have also appeared on fence panels leading from Alderney Gardens to Swan Lane.

Officers have now arrested an 18-year-old boy in connection with the incidents and have released him on bail.

PC Julie Dawes, of Wickford police, said: “It makes the town look untidy. We don’t like to see it because it doesn’t look good when you’ve got visitors in the town, especially when it’s around the High Street. It could potentially affect the shops, because people want to shop in an area that’s nice and clean.”

Tags have also recently appeared around the High Street in red paint, which bare the words BRB and Dads side XX. Police are not linking these to the new tags, but have noticed a general increase in graffiti across the town.

PC Dawes urged residents to call if they spot the tags. She said: “If anybody’s got any information, if they notice anything on Facebook or on YouTube, we want them to call or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously. We just want to stop the graffiti in the area.”

Anyone with information, can call Wickford police on 0300 3334444 or call the neighbourhood policing mobile on 07875 003503 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.