VANDALS who defaced a basketball mural in Monkwick have been condemned by councillors, with one offering a £100 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to their identification.

The mural, which was unveiled last year in a play area in School Road, had obscenities scrawled across it in black marker pen last week.

Depicting the basketballer Michael Jordan, the art work was funded from the County Hall locality budget, which also paid for an anti-graffiti coating to be applied so any vandalism could be removed.

After it was opened, Essex-based artist Kerry Judson said the mural had been unveiled to inspire youths.

She said at the time: “The area attracts a lot of youths so I knew it was important to paint an inspirational figure which they could relate to, look up to and be inspired by – who better than Michael Jordan?”

Following the vandalism, however, Labour councillor for Berechurch ward, Dave Harris said he was appalled, adding be would offer £100 to anybody who could offer information leading to the prosecution of those who committed the crime.

He said: “I am appalled at the terrible immature people that put nasty graffiti on the Monkwick estate mural on school Road.

“[The mural] was to enhance the area after rust and flaking paint was found on the steel wall – I am deeply offended at the stupidity shown by persons unknown.

“The graffiti was extremely offensive – I have told the parks department dept I am offering a reward for info that leads to prosecution of those that committed the crime against my community.”

Mr Harris then added he was hoping to take a neighbourhood watch approach to try and catch any troublemakers.

He added: “There was another mural in Monkwick built ten years ago that’s never been touched [but] people need to keep their eyes and ears open and we can use a neighbourhood watch mentality – it’s obviously someone local, and it’s very, very offensive.”

Should anyone wish to report the vandals responsible, Dave Harris can be contacted via councillor.dave.harris@hotmail.co.uk.