Vandals elude police

Taggers responsible for defacing New Brighton war memorial appear to have gotten away with the "despicable'' crime.

Last December, the community was enraged when the war memorial on Marine Parade was attacked with blue and black spray paint.

Although police initially had a good suspect, he was cleared when it was discovered he was in jail when the tagging took place.

"The tag on the memorial was reasonably identifiable and that particular one belongs to a local ratbag. Unfortunately he was actually inside when the tag was put on there,'' said New Brighton police Sergeant Andrew Judson.

"Because of this and in spite of how despicable the offence is at this stage we have been unable to proceed with prosecution,'' said Sergeant Judson.

He said it was not uncommon for members of the same "crew'' to use each others tag.

"What looks like has happened is one of his associates has been plastering the area in his tag in an effort to do the work for him. It is not unusual to tag other people's tag if they are part of the same crew. But unless more information comes forward inquiries have been exhausted,'' he said.

The slightly faded tags still remain on the war memorial more than two months after the event.

City councillor Peter Beck said removing the graffiti was tricky for city council staff as the memorial was made out of soft sandstone and more prone to damage from chemicals.

"It is a soft sandstone which means it is easily damaged. They usually use a poultice, with chemicals, which draws it out, but it is so difficult with the cenotaph,'' he said.

Cr Beck said he has asked the city council to research more methods of removing the tagging. In the mean time he has asked for a "temporary cover'' for the cenotaph.

"I have asked if there is some way we can put on a temporary cover which preserves the integrity of the memorial but covers over the graffiti. However, if that happens then of course the sun won't be able to bleach the graffiti away. It really is a difficult fix,'' he said.

He said the tag needed to be removed so it wouldn't attract further tags.

"As we know graffiti attracts graffiti,'' he said.

"It is such a significant monument and it is a sad thing to see it like this, incredibly demoralising,'' he said.