Illegal road graffiti conveys pro-hunt message across the Cotswolds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Illegal road graffiti conveys pro-hunt message across the Cotswolds

ROAD graffiti is being illegally used to convey a pro-hunt message throughout Gloucestershire - a move condemed by police, highways officers and campaigners from both sides of the debate.

Large messages saying 'hands off hunters' and 'hands off country sports' have been sprayed on roads around the Cotswolds.

Tarnished roads include two sections of the A433 in Cirencester, one in Bourton-on-the-Water and one on the Gloucestershire/Warwickshire border.

Anti-hunt supporter Paul Richardson said: "It is bad. They shouldn't be doing it. I've seen a few messages. It's typical. It's obviously by hunt supporters.

"They are fighting a last ditch stand to save hunting and I don't think they will. "They are the ones who are always telling off animal rights people for breaking the law and they're doing it now. It seems it's alright for one side and not the other. "We don't spray graffiti on roads or public highways anyway." But the culprits are not known to local hunt groups.

"Firstly I have got no clue who did it. I would disassociate both myself and the hunt from behaviour of this nature. It is one thing to demonstrate, but acts of hooliganism won't help our cause," said Mark Hill, master of the VWH hunt.

Jo Aldridge, spokesman for Beaufort Hunt, added: "It's probably someone who just feels very strongly about hunting and they just want to express their own view."

Police have not yet received any reports about the graffiti but will crackdown on anybody caught in the act.

Police spokesman Steve Partridge, said: "Graffiti may seem like harmless fun or freedom of expression to a small minority but as far as the police are concerned it's vandalism.

"It can cost hundreds of pounds to clear up the mess caused by graffiti and it can cause untold misery and stress to the people whose private property is damaged in this way.

"Whenever the police catch people de-facing property we will look to take action."

Gloucestershire County Council is also warning drivers about the dangers of trying to read the graffiti.

Chris Franklin, Divisional Operation Manager for the highways department, said: "Obviously from the county council's side we have to look after the travelling public.

"Any graffiti is illegal and if it causes drivers to slow down it is very dangerous, so we have to find it and clear it up. We have to made sure that the network is safe."

Anybody with information about the incidents or other acts of vandalism is asked to call police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.