CONCERNS over a rise in graffiti in Largs and Fairlie were raised with police at a recent community council meeting.

The matter was raised by community councillor Rita Holmes during the meeting which took place at the Vikingar! in Largs.

The matter had also come up for attention during a recent Fairlie Community Council meeting.

It was pointed out that graffiti had been appearing around Fairlie, and that they seemed to be by "the same hand, or very similar hands".

Bins, bus shelters and the old wall in Glen Road have been targeted, while in Largs there has been graffiti near the roof area above Tesco Express.

Councillor Ian Murdoch told the meeting in Fairlie that North Ayrshire Council will not be cleaning the graffiti on private properties, but will take care of those on council property.

Rita further questioned Sergeant Donald Fisher about the matter at the Largs Community Council meeting.

Sgt Fisher said: "Yes, I have seen more graffiti, and we have taken pens off kids, and are they the same pens? No, disappointingly, they are a different colour, unfortunately, but it is something we are aware of.

Sgt Donald Fisher was asked about graffiti issue in districtSgt Donald Fisher was asked about graffiti issue in district (Image: Newsquest)

"We have to see how we acquire these pens off kids, what powers of search we have etc, and it is something we are aware of. 

"We try to be mindful when we are dealing with kids and youths and we are on the lookout for these kinds of pens."

Rita Holmes stated that it looked "more like paint" than pens which were used on the graffiti that was daubed in various places in the village.

The North Ayrshire Council website urges the public to report any graffiti that they see which is on council property.

It states: "Our dedicated teams aim to remove graffiti within seven days of it being reported.

"We use specialised equipment and chemicals to clean a range of surfaces and types of graffiti. They are environmentally friendly and safe."

North Ayrshire Council is unable to remove graffiti from bus shelters as these are owned by SPT, where the matter can be reported.

Sergeant Fisher has also been invited to a forthcoming Fairlie Community Council meeting to discuss the issue.

There were also graffiti issues reported in West Kilbride last summer, while a bus shelter in Seamill was burnt and required to to be replaced.