SIR: This year I have noticed that graffiti has become widespread throughout Winchester. (Belgarum, Chronicle, November 28).

From Badger Farm towards the railway bridge over to St. Cross Road, the Hospital of St. Cross and Water Meadows. Almost every litter bin, sign post, the railways bridge, all the way through to and past St. Catherine's Hill have been vandalised by graffiti, often with the same shape. Indeed it is widespread throughout the area.

Graffiti attracts more graffiti. As with the swastika which represents the most chilling and inhumane period in modern history, graffiti reflects the deterioration of standards and attitude.

More often than not the location is littered with empty cans and wrappers, demonstrating a total ignorance and pride of the city and environs.

I am grateful for Network Rail to have acted immediately to remove this obscene swastika graffiti. The perpetrator would certainly be aware of its meaning and uncivilised significance.

As stated above, the graffiti epidemic has only been obvious this year.

Graffiti lowers the civilised nature of Winchester and its removal should be a matter of priority.

Simon Lever,

Juniper Close,

Badger Farm