Graffiti artist strikes again in Coventry as resident hits out
THE ‘smile’ graffiti artist has struck in Coventry once again. The unknown individual has made his mark across the city for the past two years and appears to have gone quiet in recent months - until now.
The slogan has been sprayed across various buildings and boards across Coventry to the dismay of locals in the area.
Now a new photo, taken by a Coventry resident, shows the recognisable tag sprayed across several electricity boxes along Roland Avenue in Holbrooks.
The resident has lashed out at the eyesore and said the vandalism sets a bad example to children in the area. She said: “There are six nurseries and schools in this area.
“It doesn’t set a very good example to them. The graffiti makes Holbrooks look dirty and paints a picture that the people within the community have no respect, to vandalise property that doesn’t belong to them.
“Thankfully the word isn’t offensive or a swear word, just doesn’t need to happen in my opinion. It’s been popping up everywhere, shop shutters, bus stops, electrical boxes, high voltage electrical sheds, fences and even advertising boards.”
Earlier in February, the elusive tagger targeted the Coventry Building Society. The building, which was being refurbished, was surrounded by blue boards which were then sprayed with the ‘smile’ slogan.
The tagger has been caught on CCTV several times, and is believed to have started his graffiti spree during the second lockdown last year. The tag has been spotted across various sites in the city, including buildings, shop shutter, bus stops and on main roads.
The slogan has become to common that even families started to play spot the ‘smile’ tag with children on their car journeys. Not everyone has taken a liking to the ‘smile’ logo.
Coventry councillor Lindsley Harvard of the Longford ward has criticised the ‘unlawful’ graffiti plaguing the streets of Coventry. He previously said: “Graffiti painted on unauthorised sites is unlawful and all-too-often destructive because of the difficulty and expense of removal. And sometimes the messages themselves can be hurtful. It is therefore an antisocial act that we cannot condone. If people who do this really want to make a mark, they can earn respect from us all through making useful contributions to the community, such as helping run food banks or activities for young people.”