Heritage vandals ordered to clean up graffiti in Chester

Three male students had sprayed multiple graffiti tags on the Roman Walls of Chester and the Grade II-listed Northgate Locks earlier this year, and were arrested.

Police said the tags caused "substantial" damage to the walls and required specialist removal work to remove them.

As part of the police-imposed conditions, the trio were ordered to clean up graffiti damage along the Chester canal towpath, in an event arranged by the Canal and River Trust.

They were also to attend a discussion with Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Canal and River Trust around the effects of damage and the cost to the community and the volunteers who spend their free time maintaining the canal.

They were also ordered to pay back costs of damage caused and repair work, with the total cost to pay of £452.87, and send apology letters to all the parties involved.

All those conditions have now been met.

PC Ashley Tether, of Cheshire Police's Rural Crime Team, said in a team post on social media: "I’m sure they would have rather used their time more constructively or spent their money on more enjoyable pastimes. However, these are the consequences of causing mindless criminal damage.

"Much of the canal is maintained by volunteers in their free time and by the charitable trust, the Canal and River Trust. Damage like this has a huge impact on the volunteers who try their best to keep the canal tidy for the community to enjoy.

"This arrest and positive outcome sends a strong message that graffiti or any damage to our shared Cheshire Heritage will not be tolerated across the city of Chester or surrounding Cheshire countryside.

"You will be dealt with robustly if you decide to damage our heritage assets.

"We are currently running #OperationArrowhead which is a #HeritageWatch scheme, to continue our focus on targeting heritage crime across the county, working with the community, partner agencies, archaeological groups and local businesses."