Teachers to snare Borders Banksy
David Knox • Published 24 Jun 2011 09:30
0 Comments
POLICE have drafted in art teachers to help trace an Innerleithen graffiti vandal.
The Banksy wannabe spray-painted designs along the length of a former mill in the centre of town last week.
The brightly coloured street art has left neighbours and community leaders furious.
After door-to-door enquiries left police at a dead-end, they have now asked art teachers at Peebles High School to help identify the culprit.
Local officer Craig Rogerson said: "I've taken some more pictures of the graffiti and emailed these to Peebles High School for circulation to teaching staff.
"Having worked on the Vandalism Enquiry Team for a few months, experience tells me that teenagers deface their schoolbooks with what they then go out and paint on walls.
"If anyone has any suggestions to the identity of the suspects please get in touch and we can eliminate them from the enquiry."
The historic Ballantyne Cashmere Mill closed last year with the loss of over 100 jobs.
Efforts are being made to create small business units within the empty building.
Gillian Steele from Innerleithen Community Council said: "I have never seen anything like it in Innerleithen, and I'm appalled that either local or visiting people will think it is appropriate to deface our town with so called graffiti art.
"This is not some urban railway siding."
Neighbour Viv Leckie added: "It looks terrible."
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 24 Jun 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
Peeblesshire News Poll
Are you in favour of wind farms?
This Poll is now closed.
Yes (72.7%)
No (27.3%)
