POLICE in Wootton Bassett are appealing for the public to help put a stop to a growing graffiti menace.

A recent spate of tags such as Prey, Spy and Boom have seen an increase in complaints to the police.

Officers say that they are keen to crack down on the graffiti artists as they say once it takes hold others will follow.

PC Steve Burson, of Wootton Bassett police, said: "It's the catching them doing it that's the problem.

"One of the tags, Prey, has suddenly appeared since the middle of December and now it's in about three places.

"Some of them are quite big so it would take a lot paint and quite a bit of time.

"The problem is they are doing it in areas that are poorly lit and often not overlooked by houses."

PC Burson said that officers are confident of making two arrests in the coming days after catching two paint sprayers in Station Road on CCTV on Tuesday.

"We have some information so hopefully they will be dealt with later on," he said.

The footage showed the youths bought their paint from Motor-save in the High Street, and PC Burson called on shops in the area to back the efforts to curb the graffiti.

"We would just say that if shopkeepers are asked for paint they could let us know," he said.

"It's starting to become a problem. We are just trying to hopefully get some information from someone who can identify the tags and give us a name or names."

PC Burson said that the issue was a regular complaint from members of the public.

"For one thing it is unsightly, and we have had some obscene words," he said. "And obviously it is criminal damage. It's the taxpayers' money that has to be used for this to be taken off."

So far sites in Lime Kiln, The Lawns, and Jubilee Lakes have fallen victims to the latest round of vandalism.

PC Burson said: "Once it starts it spreads. People say to us you must know who's doing it' but we don't and we need their help.

"It's more than likely to be local youths because they wouldn't come into the town to do it. Everyone pays for it in the end including these kids' parents."

Last month the Adver reported that several areas of Swindon and surrounding towns have been covered in graffiti. Old Town, Highworth, and Toothill all have problems, and the disused Turn-pike service station on the A419 was also covered within a few days of the businesses closing.

l TWO teenagers have been arrested in relation to a spate of graffiti in Fairford.

The boys, aged 13 and 17, and both from Fairford, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, and have been released on bail pending further inquiries until Wednesday, February 7.

The pair were caught after police received several reports of incidents where the letters TR had being sprayed in silver paint on vehicles and property in Fairford over recent months.

Officers investigating the case are still appealing for anyone who may have had property damaged in this way, but who have not yet reported it to police, to get in touch.

To report a further incident of graffiti call PC Martin Pendle on 0845 090 1234.