Bungay blighted by ‘woke’ graffiti artist ‘epidemic’

The vandalism, first spotted a few months ago, has since spread across Bungay, appearing on buildings, street signs, its bowls club and BT boxes.

Most of the markings feature the repeated tag “woke”, often accompanied by the initials “OTC”. Some people have even called him “wokesy” in a reference to street artist Banksy.

Motorists were left confused after street signs were covered in graffiti (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

One target has been the newly installed bus shelter on St John’s Road, near Bungay Cemetery.

Peter Scott, a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator in the town, described the problem as a “growing epidemic” and expressed concern that it could encourage further vandalism if left unchecked.

A recently installed bus shelter was a target of vandalism (Image: Peter Scott)

Mr Scott said: “This has become a real problem – nothing drags an area down worse than graffiti. It’s awful for tourism, too.

“I previously contacted the Community Policing Team, but never even got a reply.

Graffiti has been spotted by locals across the town (Image: Google My Maps)

“Cleaning it off is not the answer, the culprits need to be caught. I fear, unless some concerted effort is made, the problem will continue to get worse.”

Regarding the vandalism, a Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “Officers who cover the Bungay area are aware and are conducting enquiries.”

Various street signs on the Ditchingham A143/Norwich Road roundabout have been vandalised (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

Motorists have also been affected, with several road and diversion signs along the Ditchingham A143/Norwich Road roundabout defaced, leaving drivers confused.

The same “woke” and “OTC” tags have been sprayed on both sides of the signs.

But it’s not just street furniture which is being targeted; local businesses and sports clubs have also been hit.

The historic Bungay Bowls Club was also hit (Image: Peter Scott)

Bungay Bowls Club, believed to date back to 1886, has had its property vandalised, including its sign and banners.

The sign at the corner of Bardolph Road and St John’s Road was sprayed with the same words repeated twice in white paint.

Various media boxes were also covered with the tag (Image: Peter Scott)

Dominic Belisario, chairman of the club, said the incident was reported to the police and is believed to have taken place between noon on Saturday, April 25, and noon the following day.

Mr Belisario said: “It has not affected any club activities, but it will cost the club to clean or replace the damaged banner and sign.”

Both the front and back of many signs had been damaged (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

“I think I also noticed that other signs around the town have been sprayed with the same graphic,” he added.

At the Southend Road Industrial Estate, graffiti was discovered on signs and a fence, believed to have been carried out over the same weekend.

Signs and a fence at Southend Industrial Estate had also been hit (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

A staff member at the industrial park, who did not want to be named, said she first spotted the paint on Monday, April 27.

Alongside “woke” and “OTC”, the word “zest” also appears.

The historic 16th-century King’s Head Hotel has also been targeted (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

The vandalism has even reached the town centre. The 16th-century King’s Head Hotel – which has been closed since 2012 and once featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed – has been extensively targeted.

Alongside other graffiti the tags ‘woke’ and ‘OTC’ can be seen (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

The word “woke” has been sprayed more than 15 times across the building in various colours, including black, pink, and light blue.

A spokeswoman for Bungay Town Council highlighted that the efforts made by volunteers to maintain the town’s appearance and expressed frustration at the damage caused.

She said: “It’s a shame that a small minority seem intent on spoiling our lovely town with horrible graffiti.

Bungay skatepark had not been graffitied with the ‘woke’ tag (Image: Victoria Humphrey)

“Not only is it ugly and meaningless, but it takes time and money to remove, that is money that we could put to much better use and fund things that local people want and have paid for from their taxes.

“The Civic Awards last week highlighted all the good work in Bungay, and we would encourage people to be on the lookout for anyone defacing buildings, signs, and shelters and report it to us here at the Town Hall or the local police.”

Some locals have speculated that the graffiti may be linked to the skateboard park on St John’s Road. However, no similar tags have been found at the site.