A FURIOUS mum has demanded graffiti be cleaned off a fence branding it obscene and racist.
Lynne De Nobrega, of Appletree Way, Oswald-twistle, said she was disgusted with the graffiti and has contacted the council. But she says nothing can be done as the fence is on private property near her home.
Mrs De Nobrega, who has three children, said: "People just seem to tolerate it. But when you live here, it just lowers the tone of the whole area.
"The graffiti is sprayed on two or three panels. It is racist and should be removed. I just don't understand why it should take so long to solve a problem like this."
Although Hyndburn Council has equipment to remove graffiti from stone and brick walls, a spokesman said it would be the owners responsibility to remove the graffiti.
He added: "We can't repaint this persons fence for them. It would be down to them to do it. The police can intervene if they consider the graffiti inflammatory or likely to incite racial hatred."
Mrs De Nobrega, 32, said she has approached the owners herself but has been fobbed off.
She added: "I originally thought the council would solve it. They should have a policy where they can remove it.
"I contacted the owners but they weren't interested. I work in Bury and remember all the Oldham riots and the problems they had.
"This graffiti is racist. I'm sure black and Asian people must feel horrible about it too."
Another resident, who didn't wish to be named, said: "It is disgusting. If that appeared on my fence I would clean it off straight away."
Spring Hill ward councillor Edith Dunston said: "I agree with this lady. It is time this was taken off. It was a police matter and they did try to get the person responsible. I think it is time it was obliterated.
"We do have a lot of anti-social behaviour problems in this area and this doesn't help. It is an eyesore and I will definitely follow this up."
