A number of youths have been apprehended in relation to spate of graffiti incidents across Fife.
Four teenagers have been traced by officers following a flurry of spray-paint incidents on the region’s streets.
The problem has particularly blighted Kirkcaldy town centre, where several streets have been targeted by the vandals.
PC Cameron Lee said: “For us it has been a huge issue, so much so that we were getting complaints as we were walking around the town centre,
“People were approaching us constantly about it, and it was something we wanted to get sorted.
“It was difficult because of the times of night they were doing it and the places they were doing it had no camera coverage.”
Buildings, phone exchanges and signs have all been targeted in towns across Fife in recent months, with many of the “tags” — the term used to describe the unique symbols used by each painter — incorporating names such as “Nacho”, “Moira” and “Agnes”.
Four teenagers have now been apprehended.
PC Lee said many graffiti artists mistakenly think their crime is victimless.
“Those that are responsible, don’t see it as much of an issue,” he said.
“They see it as victimless and harmless, but for those who are involved in the High Street it is not nice for people to see.”
Fellow PC Mark McCulloch added: “There is a financial implication as well as obviously it needs to be cleaned up.
“Visitors to the town notice graffiti and we want to keep it as visually pleasing as we can.”
David Henderson, chair of Kirkcaldy West Community Council, said: “We don’t need this in our town.
“It is an ugly mess and it is a big job to get rid of it.”
