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A local Occupation group is pushing the Parish of St. Helier to get a 'Nozy' graffiti artist to park his years-long habit of tagging bunkers, bins and other street furniture once and for all.
The matter will be top of the agenda at tomorrow's Roads Committee meeting after the Channel lslands Occupation Society (CIOS) raised the damage to multiple historical structures in a letter.
The so-called artwork is often signed off by 'Nozy', who has so far eluded capture.
The CIOS explained that the "unsightly graffiti" first appeared in 2020 on a German artillery battery located at the top of the Westmount Gardens. To the "relief" of the CIOS, this was "removed promptly and effectively".
Pictured: The first 'Nozy'-tagged graffiti appeared in 2020.
However, fresh graffiti appeared shorty afterwards which was also signed with the 'Nozy' tag.
The CIOS expressed their dismay that this graffiti is "still in situ over 18 months later", which has caused frustration among members of the public.
The CIOS suggested that "tolerating graffiti encourages the vandalism of other historic structures, as well as the island's public infrastructure as a whole".
Pictured: The second round of graffiti had not been removed after 18 months.
The letter to the Parish of St Helier from the CIOS also explained that "two listed bunkers in St. Ouen's Bay were daubed with highly visible graffiti during the past year" and "one of the perpetrators was again 'Nozy'".
The CIOS suggested that "it is reasonable to assume that they drew inspiration from the fact that they had been allowed to leave their mark on the bunker at Westmount Gardens for such an extended period".
They concluded that "if 'Nozy' and his fellow "artists" continue to be allowed a free rein, our streets and historic structures will soon look sad and neglected".
Pictured: "Two listed bunkers in St. Ouen's Bay were daubed with highly visible graffiti during the past year".
Responding to the concerns in a letter to the CIOS, the Parish of St Helier's new CEO Andrew Sugden confirmed that "there has been an increase in graffiti in recent years"
He added that "Parish Officers are already working closely with both the States and Honorary Police on this issue" and, "whilst they have had some success in recent weeks", Mr Sudgen admitted that "it appears that 'Nozy' has not yet been apprehended".
He confirmed that the relevant Parish team have already attended to the graffiti at the Endrass Artillery Battery in Westmount Gardens.
Pictured: 'Nozy' has also tagged various items of street furniture in the parish.
Mr Sugden also said that he will "ask all Parish employees to look out for graffiti" and encouraged members of the public to get in touch with the Parish of St Helier when they come across any graffiti. He suggested that "the 'Love Jersey' mobile app is a really helpful reporting tool; it allows you to attach a photo and mark the exact location".
He added: "It also helps us to determine who is responsible for the clean-up, recognising that land ownership tends to be divided between the Government and the Parish, as well as being privately owned."
Tomorrow's Roads Committee meeting - during which Constable Simon Crowcroft will lead a discussion on how to address the ongoing issue - will be taking place in the Assembly Room of St. Helier Parish Hall at 09:30.
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