The headteacher of a north Shropshire school today called for police patrols in Market Drayton to be stepped up after a spate of graffiti in the town.  

Abusive language was sprayed in orange paint at three locations in the grounds of Market Drayton Junior School, in Alexander Road, between 6.30pm on Friday and 7am today.

Headteacher Edward Edge said graffiti was a problem in the town and called for more policing in a bid to catch the culprits.  

He said a team of people had spent this morning cleaning graffiti off school premises and the cost of the clean-up operation would run into hundreds of pounds.

“Basically it’s just unacceptable behaviour which hopefully the police will be tackling very soon,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be happening on school premises full-stop or within the town.”

He added: “We’re calling for additional policing of schools in Market Drayton and in the town generally.

“If these things are happening, we’re saying as a school that we need more policing of school property to ensure this type of thing doesn’t happen.

“This costs the school money which is being taken directly out of children’s education.”

He said staff were also asking local residents to be extra vigilant in the coming weeks and report anyone suspicious in the school grounds to the police.

“It’s not just the cost and the inconvenience, it’s also the additional time it takes to deal with the graffiti,” he said. “I would think this graffiti will cost £200 plus.”

Constable Dave Timmins, the investigating officer, appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.

He said: “We are investigating the possibility that this may be linked to other incidents in the nearby area, including the Dalelands Estate, where spray paint was used to vandalise property. If anyone has any information or knows the identity of those responsible, I would urge them to contact Market Drayton Police on 08457 444888.”

Information can also be passed on via the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.

By Becky Parkinson