TOWN centre business owners have hit out at vandals who are daubing their Church Green premises with graffiti.

Westgrove owner Affy Qadeer said businesses had suffered recurring problems of graffiti for several months and a recent attack had hit offices on both sides of the green.

He said it gave Redditch a poor image to visitors and it seemed police were doing nothing about it because it was a low priority crime to them.

"There's CCTV but if they're not checking it, then they may as well switch it off," he added.

Meanwhile, Vizor estate agent owner Charles Vizor said police needed to start with petty crime and wipe it out before it became worse.

He said: "When they do catch them, they should be made to clean it off so they will realise what damage it does.

"I have no problem with having certain areas where youngsters can do it, where it is an artform, but this is not art."

But Sgt Julian Smith, of Redditch police, said the matter was being treated as high priority and they would push for maximum penalties for anyone caught spraying paint on walls or cars.

"The costs of clearing up graffiti can be huge, both financially and timewise, and while it's a drain on local council resources, it has an even greater impact on individuals and smaller businesses that simply can't afford to keep cleaning up after these vandals," he said.

"Graffiti also makes a place seem uncared for, creating unease and increasing the fear of crime and while it's true that investigating graffiti attacks diverts police resources from more serious crime, it's an area we cannot afford to ignore."

The complaints coincide with the launch of the Colouring the Community scheme by Washford-based Dulux Decorator Centre, which is encouraging local builders and tradesmen to donate small amounts of time and resources to improve community facilities.

To volunteer your services or apply for help, visit www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk