CCTV will be installed in a Worcester underpass that was vandalised after being open for only one week. 

A spokesperson from Worcester City Council has confirmed that CCTV is due to be installed in the near future at the underpass beneath Temeside Way between the Ketch roundabout and Carrington Bridge.

People called the underpass 'creepy' and feared that it would be a blank canvas for graffiti 'artists' after its opening was announced.

Councillor Mike Rouse, cabinet member with responsibility for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council, said: “It is very disappointing to see that the underpass beneath Temeside Way has been vandalised.

"But I am pleased that a County Council team will be removing the graffiti as soon as possible.

"I am also aware that Worcester City Council will also be installing CCTV shortly.” 

Worcester News asked Councillor John Renshaw about this.

He said: "Yes, CCTV will be installed in the underpass.  

"I understand that there will be three cameras; one at each end of the underpass and one in the middle.  

"Given that graffiti and anti-social behaviour seem to be attracted to underpasses it’s surprising that this work wasn’t done before it was opened."

The graffiti on the underpass was a declaration of love from someone named Chez. 

Worcester News readers anticipated the vandalism in comments made ahead of the underpass' opening. 

A number of people said it would not be long before the concrete walls of the underpass were covered in graffiti, with one Facebook user describing it as a “blank canvas for the Banksy wannabe”.

Another said: “What time on Friday will it be open? As I bet it will have graffiti on it a few hours later - then people will be drinking in it, being sick in it and other bodily functions.”

Cllr Renshaw has come up with an idea to stop any future acts of vandalism.

"I’ve also had the idea of putting the underpass forward as a site for a mural for the 2022 Worcester Paint Festival to be held in September.

"The inaugural Paint Festival was held at sites across Worcester in 2021 and unfortunately on that occasion there were no murals located in St Peter’s.

"As well as brightening up the underpass the combination of CCTV, once it’s installed, and a mural should help discourage further graffiti and anti social behaviour there."