IT looks as if we have the graffiti artists on the run.

When senior elected and non-elected officials make such a claim, there is no room for spin - a simple examination of our local environment is all that's needed for verification or otherwise.

The fact that fewer complaints about graffiti are being received is a testament of the hard work of councillors and council staff, the police, utility companies and everybody who truly cares about Swindon. The Swindon Advertiser is proud to be part of that movement.

Some high-profile arrests have disabused the vandals of any notion that they are somehow above the law or that what they do isn't "real" crime.

It is very real crime with very real punishment, and the very real victims are decent people who don't want their neighbourhoods blighted.

The battle is not yet won, though. There are still vandals who think nothing of defacing our town. They must all be stopped or shopped.