GRAFFITI yobs made what is likely to be a testing 2009 even tougher for traders by going on a spray paint spree on New Year's Eve.
Carpetmart, Forget Me Not, Gri Gri, Bijouterie, the old Woolworths site and the bridge opposite Eastcote tube station in Field End Road were all graffitied on December 30.
Jay Gadhia, owner of Forget Me Not, said: "The graffiti was illuminous orange and it went through the shutters and onto the shop window. I called Hillingdon Council and they said they would send someone down to remove it as soon as possible.
"It doesn't make any sense but when the police catch these guys they'll say they do it because they're bored."
Sergeant Simon Ward, of Eastcote and East Ruislip Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "No one has reported this graffiti to us but two months ago we did catch two lads graffiting the shops in Eastcote and they admitted to 14 offences.
"One of our priorities is anti social behaviour and graffiti so we take a strong line on it.
"If people are caught they can expect to get prosecuted."
A van in Sidmouth Drive, Ruislip Gardens, was also heavily graffitied the weekend after Christmas.
The owner of the van, Nigel Allum, 66, of Dartmouth Road, said: "I parked the van there on Boxing Day and when I went back to it two days later it had been graffi-tied.
"I have been parking it there for 30 years and it has been graffitied before but never as bad as this.
"I wanted a picture of the tags to go in the paper to find out who did it."
Kathy Sparks, deputy director of environment and consumer protection, said they had not previously been aware of the grafitti but were due to go and remove it yesterday (Tuesday).
To report graffiti call Hillingdon Council on 01895 556 000.
