The Mayor of Bridport says he is saddened to see the mural at Bridport Football Club vandalised and is calling on those responsible to come forward.

As reported, police are investigating two separate incidents of graffiti in Bridport.

They received a report that overnight on Monday, 1 August, that the new mural – commissioned by Bridport Arts Centre with funding support from Bridport Town Council – at Bridport Football Club was defaced with a large graffiti ‘tag’.

A second report was received that overnight on Wednesday, 3 August, an existing mural – also funded by the Bridport Town Council and installed by community artists and young people – on the northern wall of Bridport Football Club had been similarly defaced with a large graffiti ‘tag’.

Cllr Ian Bark, Bridport mayor, said :“It’s so saddening to see that the work of local young people, funded by local taxpayers, has been disrespected in this way.

"We recognise the value of street art and would be quite happy to talk to ‘taggers’ about where they could show their art without undermining the artistic efforts of others, and I urge them to come forward and engage with us. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the artists involved, we haven’t managed to find them so far. As a result we felt we had no option but to involve the Police. Naturally, neither they nor the Council wants to make this a criminal matter and this can be avoided if the person or people responsible make contact urgently.”

While the tagging has upset many, in typical Bridport fashion the community is coming together to do something positive.

An open invitation has been issued to 'heal the walls' with street artist Marina Renee Cemmick.

All are welcome to attend this Sunday (August 14th) between 4pm-6pm to contribute colours, patterns and responses along Riverside Walk. Following this, on Friday, August 19, between 5pm-7pm all are welcome to make new work together on St Marys Playing Field.