GRAFFITI is blighting Bicester and residents fear the problem could soon escalate out of control.

One so-called tag – FU92 – in particular is taunting residents as it appears on walls, trees and businesses across town.

Hotspots include Kings End, Kings Avenue, Launton Road and the town centre and the tag has been spotted in London Road and Telford Road.

Edward Pearce, 46, from Kings End, said: “When I am cycling and driving round Bicester I have noticed over the past couple of months the graffiti problem has been getting a lot worse.

Bicester Advertiser:

“In particular I have seen the tag ‘Fu92’ all over Bicester recently.

“It worries me. I grew up in London and know first-hand that if it is allowed to escalate it will get out of hand.

“Bicester is a high profile town at the moment, trying to attract people in with the eco town and expansion, but the graffiti just creates a mess and a terrible atmosphere.”

The Bicester Neighbourhood team said in an online update the issue is ‘steadily increasing’ and it hopes to work with local businesses and volunteers to organise a community clean-up.

Among those areas in the town centre blighted by graffiti is The Browning Experience.

Owner Steve Brown said: “They have done it in six places in our area – one on a house.

“There must be an area that needs brightening up somewhere. The art is actually pretty talented – if only they could channel it in the proper way.

“Little bits here and there just make Bicester look scruffy.”

Police say they are looking into reports of FU92 being sprayed on a property in London Road between Saturday, January 23, and Monday, January 25, and again in Telford Road.

It is also investigating FUQQ2, which is reported to have been sprayed on a wall in London Road.

Mr Pearce, a train driver for Chiltern Railways, added: “I have reported instances of graffiti to the council, but as of yet I fail to see any action having been taken.

“I don’t know what the council’s position is with funding cuts but something more needs to be done.

“More people need to come forward and report it.”

Bicester Green Gym member Bea Foster added: “Graffiti is quite difficult to clean up and it is too big a job for us – we mostly clean up the signs in Bure Park when they are sprayed.

“It is a mess and disrespectful.”