New underpass artwork daubed with graffiti

A council has condemned the "senseless damage" of its new public artwork which was defaced not long after being unveiled.

Street art in Byker, created in the underpass between Potts Street and Shields Road and revealed last week, has been sprayed over with a graffiti tag.

The work was created as part of Newcastle City Council's Inclusive, Healthy, Vibrant High Streets Project by Newcastle artist Benji Spence.

Jen Hartley, the council's assistant director of capital investment and growth, said: "We are both disappointed and sad to see what has happened to this amazing art so soon after it was unveiled."

In a press release, the council described the vandalism as "senseless damage" which "undermines the hard work of the artist, the enthusiasm of the young people involved and the positive steps being taken to brighten up the underpasses and support the improvement of local high streets including Shields Road in Byker".

Hartley said the artwork was "created with and for the people of Byker to celebrate the area's creativity and unique character".

"Acts of vandalism like this do not reflect the values of the local community, who have been overwhelmingly positive about the new artwork, and will not stop us from continuing to work to make our neighbourhoods brighter, safer and more welcoming," she said.

The council confirmed the graffiti would be removed as soon as possible and had been reported to Northumbria Police.

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