A WAVE of graffiti in Portishead has left residents fuming.

Police patrols were stepped up at The Vale housing estate after two nights of vandalism which saw paint daubed on the walls of people’s homes as well as garden walls and fences.

Mum-of-two Tonya Berry, who was a victim of the graffiti, said: “It’s horrible, not only to have your home blighted with ugly tags, but to think people have come to your front door with no regards to those of us who are sitting inside.”

The weekend rampage of graffiti at The Vale, follows a build-up of unsightly scrawls being left on shops, substations and telephone exchange boxes throughout the town over the past weeks.

Portishead in Bloom chairman Sandy Tebbutt said: “Portishead has experienced graffiti problems in the past but it seems to have got a lot worse lately.

“Some of the vandalism is along the route which the judges take for the South West in Bloom competition. If it is not removed and kept at bay it will affect our entry significantly, ruining all the hard work that goes in to the annual contest and keeping Portishead looking good.”

Portishead police say they are determined to catch those responsible for the recent spate of damage. Sergeant Jim Robinson said: “Graffiti doesn’t enhance any community which is why the police intend to take positive action when the offender is caught.”

Anyone with information relating to the recent graffiti should contact police on 101.