A SUSPECT believed to be one of those behind a spate of graffiti attacks across Worcester has been arrested in Bristol.

We have previously reported how hundreds of tags appeared across Worcester including the Shambles, New Street, Broad Street, Sansome Walk, Pheasant Street, Lowesmoor, City Walls Road, Shaw Street and Farrier Street.

Vandals even left their mark on the old job centre at 214 Battery (Royal Artillery) at Dancox House in Pheasant Street last December.

But an officer involved in the investigation said hard work had led them to identify an address in Bristol where an 18-year-old man was arrested on Sunday.

Sgt Pete Frankish of West Mercia Police said: “This morning (Sunday) officers from the city centre team at Worcester travelled to Bristol in the early hours and located the property."

A search of the premises proved successful and a man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious criminal damage by way of tagging graffiti around Worcester city centre.

Sgt Frankish said: "The cost of clean up and over painting of the damage is expected to be in the thousands of pounds and both Worcester city council and the Duckworth Trust have been working hard to put right the damage.

"The exact full figure of clean up is yet to be established and will form part of the prosecution file that is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service prior to any criminal charges being brought.

"The tenacity and commitment of all officers involved was impressive and finally we got a break."

Police believe two further tags daubed across the city, "Asper" and "Sark" (pronounced tsar), can be attributed to other people and enquiries continue to identify and trace these offenders with a view to bringing them to justice.

Worcester City council and the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust with West Mercia Police have produced a graffiti self-help programme and leaflets have been produced to advise people targeted by vandals.