A Radcliffe resident is calling for renewed efforts to crack down on graffiti vandals.

The Radcliffe Times reported in June that police had noted a serious increase in graffiti in the town, with the Church Street West and canal areas among those most regularly targeted.

At the time, officers said they were working with schools across the borough to identify the culprits, with several tags regularly being spotted.

However, Justin Crook, of Hampson Street, believes the problem is becoming more widespread and is asking other concerned residents to do what they can to help.

He said: “It started off as just small tags but now they are huge, full-colour things. We have noticed this for about two years, but in the last six to 12 months it has got really bad.

“There are certain buildings now that look like they could be from Detroit, or somewhere like that.

“The council will say that they can’t remove it all because it’s on private land, but most households can’t afford to remove it themselves. If the council can’t take action then they need to help others to do so.

“When one bit of graffiti is left untouched then others will spring up quickly around it.

“I don’t think people bother to report it because they don’t think anything will be done.”

Mr Crook reported that a family member was threatened when they confronted a group of youths caught defacing a bridge.

He added: “I have seen this on hundreds of items street furniture, and also on trams.

“The whole banana path from Greenbank Road is regularly targeted, every fence panel on the path from the canal to Spring Lane.

“This continues on all the walls at the side of the Metrolink car park, down on all the garages on Barlow Street, and almost every business on Church Street has had their shutters and walls tagged, which is a bit of a blow as these businesses have suffered already with closures.”

Earlier this year, police urged the people of Radcliffe to help them track down the vandals by informing them of any graffiti in their area, as incidents were rarely reported.

Cllr Rishi Shori, deputy leader of Bury Council, said: "Graffiti is blight on the area. Difficulties arise when it appears upon properties owned by private businesses and individuals as it is the owners’ responsibility to have it removed.

“The council will do whatever it can to support the removal of graffiti and work with partners to catch the culprits.”