Who is Zen? It’s a question you may well have asked yourself if you’ve wandered around Hitchin in the past few weeks.
Graffiti tags with the word ‘Zen’ have appeared in all sorts of colours and all manner of places – and have become a major talking point in the town.
Police last night appealed for the public to get in touch with any information that might help identify who is responsible.
Safer neighbourhood team Insp Richard Lilley said: “Graffiti is a mindless act of vandalism which defaces our public spaces meant for the community’s enjoyment.
“We take these offences extremely seriously and are doing everything we can to find the person responsible and identify them. I am appealing to anyone who has seen someone using this graffiti tag, or who anyone who know who could be responsible, to please contact us as soon as possible.”
North Herts District Council’s environment portfolio holder Councillor Michael Weeks has also appealed for members of the public to contact the police.
He said: “This particular graffiti tag has appeared all over council and privately-owned property in Hitchin and Letchworth, particularly on the Cambridge Road and surrounding roads. Graffiti is an eyesore, a crime, and is particularly unpleasant for those who live or work in the area. If you have any information as to the culprit, please call the police.”
He added: “We are working to remove graffiti on any council property and are proactively contacting the owners of affected privately owned properties to assist them in arranging removal, which can be undertaken by the council for a charge.”
One Hitchin business owner, who preferred not to be identified, told the Comet: “The district council and police need to make a more proactive stance towards these vandals who are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to our historic market town. This has been going on far to long. Our town is becoming a playground for these vandals.
“I urge other local businesses and homeowners with CCTV that are within vicinity of these amateur markings to check their systems and help bring these vandals to account.”
Anyone who knows who the culprit is should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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