Anger over a 'plague of graffiti' blighting Shipley

One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the T&A this month to speak out about a large amount of graffiti that has been scrawled on several buildings - many of them businesses - in Shipley and the surrounding areas.

An example of graffiti blighting Shipley (Image: UGC)

The resident suspects one person could be behind much of the recent vandalism. 

“A plague of graffiti is blighting Shipley and surrounding areas, with one perpetrator ‘Beanz’ responsible for around 80 per cent of recent damage," he claimed.

The name Beanz has often been scrawled on buildings (Image: UGC)

“Much of it is located in central Shipley but the routes I take walking from Saltaire to Shipley are littered with them," the man said.

“They have begun appearing over the last couple of months at an alarming rate.

The name Beanz has often been scrawled on buildings (Image: UGC)

“This is not a normal graffiti problem or I wouldn’t highlight it.

“I did speak with two community officers who took notes a few weeks back, they said they didn’t know the operator."

Priceguard DIY is one of the businesses which hit by the graffiti (Image: UGC)

The man noted that some of the graffiti has appeared on businesses such as Atkinsons Solicitors, Priceguard DIY, Holland & Barrett, and Iceland.

The resident believes the culprit (s) should be made to pay for the clean-up of the vandalism.

He asked: “Can they be identified and made to pay for the clean-up?”

The resident said that within the last couple of weeks, he has seen more instances of vandalism.

“The pace of this graffiti tsunami is not slowing,” he said. “I have seen several new and disturbing examples.

Graffiti at the top of the Iceland premises (Image: Submitted)

“It’s disturbing as they are high on walls and roofs - the perpetrator must have ladders. It’s not normal.

“The latest which appeared is in the very centre of Shipley.

“If you stand where the Christmas tree is usually erected and look up above Iceland there is around 20ft of new graffiti which has been done from the roof.

“I’m beginning to wonder if this is some orchestrated campaign.”

Inspector Tany Ditta, of the Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Whilst there have been no reports of criminal damage to buildings in the Shipley area in the last three months to us, my neighbourhood policing team will now be speaking with local businesses affected in the area in the coming days.

“We are working closely with Bradford Council who can help and support businesses regarding cleaning up the graffiti.

“I would encourage people to report these incidents so we can investigate.

“Any information can be given to 101 or the report it options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/reportit or emailing shipleynt@westyorkshire.police.uk.”