Time to get a grip on town's graffiti problem

The public has recently been informed that we are about to enter the UK's first Anti-Behaviour Week (SA, July 24).

This is to assure us that we should report any anti-social behaviour in our respective areas. Now, obviously, this type of behaviour can come in all forms, from the more serious crimes of drug-dealing, violence, and noise pollusion - to outright mindless vandalism.

But included in this list should be the proliferation of gratuitous, senseless crime of graffiti painting that seems to adorn every junction box, bus-shelter and blank wall-space throughout the town.

Graffiti seems to be the forgotten crime, regarded as low-level by the police and the courts.

During the recent lockdowns, as the result of Coronavirus, many of us began to venture out on walks to get some relief from the monotonous daily incursions of everyday life.

And it was during these walks that it became obvious how badly cared for the town was regarding how offensive to the eye this wretched graffiti was.

Unfortunately, even before the pandemic, graffiti was still prevalent; but not to the forefront of a person's conciousness perhaps, due to a large amount of the population preferring vehicular travel.

So let's report these obscenities that seem to have appeared in every part of the town, and encourage the police to investigate and prosecute those responsible; thereby bringing to the attention of the local council and law enforcement the need to keep this invidious offence at bay.

John Beale

Wigmore Avenue,

Lawn

Do you have a view on the news? Write a letter to the editor via email to letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or follow the link here.

War veteran Elsie at 100 - a true inspiration

I really laughed on looking at the birthday notices in Friday's Swindon Advertiser.

There was Elsie Herbert celebrating her 100th birthday...smiling wearing her WW2 uniform

I don’t know Elsie or even have met her ...But I would imagine that she has lots of stories to tell in her long life.! The photograph was full of positivity in a very difficult time for our country.

I hope Elsie you enjoyed your special day with your family that obviously love you very much .....also you had pleasure in receiving your birthday card from our Queen..

May you celebrate many more birthdays and being a true inspiration to everyone you meet.

God bless you

Elizabeth Payne

Covingham

Do you have a view on the news? Write a letter to the editor via email to letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or follow the link here.