People in Kirkcaldy urged to wage war on ‘endemic’ graffiti

Vandalism: Community leader calls for action to eradicate ‘infection’ in town centre

A Kirkcaldy community leader has called on the public to wage war on graffiti artists.

David Henderson, chairman of Kirkcaldy West Community Council, said that vandalism in the town had become “endemic” in the past year and declared that members of the community could help to keep the streets clear of so-called street art.

His call comes as large parts of the town centre remain affected by graffiti left behind as part of a wave of vandalism that took place last summer.

Concerned about the impact that the paintwork was having on people’s perception of the town’s traditional shopping precinct, Mr Henderson said: “It has become endemic. We are needing the area in and around the High Street cleaned up. “Graffiti is like an infection. “It’s one thing stopping that infection from spreading, but eradicating it is a lot harder it seems.”

Last year saw Kirkcaldy and several other Fife town centres targeted by a group of graffiti artists.

Prominent buildings, telephone exchange boxes and signs were all vandalised by the group, members of which were detained by the police in the autumn.

However, its legacy continues to live on, with names such as “Nacho” and “Moira” still prominently on display throughout Kirkcaldy town centre and the surrounding area.

Fife Council runs a graffiti removal phoneline, whereby members of the public are encouraged to report any daubings, regardless of whether it is on private or local authority property.

Mr Henderson had spoken at the time of his concerns surrounding last year’s widespread vandalism, but says that unless that graffiti is fully removed from the local streets, it is highly likely that more will appear.

Calling on local residents to play their part in combating the problem he said: “People have to take part in preventing this from continuing.

“We need to make sure that the people are totally aware of the mechanisms for reporting vandalism and graffiti.”

Graffiti has become endemic, we need the area around the High Street cleaned up. DAVID HENDERSON

David Henderson beside some of the vandalism on the former Tesco building at the Postings.