POLICE in Runcorn have taken steps to stop racist graffiti in the Heath and Mersey areas.

Officers from Runcorn Community Action Team (CAT) will be joined by community support officers to provide high visibility presence, gather intelligence and liase with the owners of the properties affected in a bid to solve the problem.

Six incidents of racial graffiti or criminal damage on residential and commercial properties in the area have been reported to police in the past week alone.

Sgt Karen Jaundrill of the local CAT team said: "Racist and offensive graffiti of any kind is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by police or the community."