RESIDENTS in Droit-wich are beginning to fight back against the wave of graffiti sweeping the town.

Widespread despair at slogans daubed over public and private property has prompted people to take the law into their own hands.

Beat manager PC Alun Jones said that on one occasion two men stopped a youth vandalising a factory unit in the town and held on to him until the police arrived.

He confirmed that residents in the town were sick of the problem that was blighting buildings.

Droitwich Town Council's leader, Pam Davey, has complained about the American craze of "signing" which had left the town's bus shelters, walls and road signs covered in graffiti.

Worcestershire County Council has spent £12,000 to try and combat the problem with special non-toxic, anti-graffiti paint to clear the town's subways.

"This is a problem that has hit the urban area of Droitwich since February and March this year," said PC Jones.

"It's criminal damage and we're actively dealing with offenders who have been identified to us," he added.

"Of late, it has started to take a more serious overtone in that the feeling in public areas is that quite clearly a lot of people are getting fed up with it.

"It defaces public and private property and has taken on a serious overtone because members of the public witnessing this behaviour are detaining offenders and calling the police.

"A couple of weeks ago two people in a factory unit apprehended a young man.

"He is continuing to help us with our inquiries.

"We have had an incident where a young person was actually arrested stealing spray cans."

The beat manager said any incidents reported to the police would be dealt with "positively".