Graffiti on Chester's city walls has sparked a coordinated response from the council, police, and conservation experts, who are working to remove the damage without harming the ancient stonework.

On Monday 9 March, police received reports that the historic walls in the city centre had been sprayed with graffiti. 

With Cheshire Police continuing to identify those responsible, the council is working with heritage specialists, conservation experts, and law-enforcement agencies to ensure the removal process is thorough and safe.

A professor from the University of Chester, working with Cheshire Police on a heritage crime recording project, has been documenting each piece of graffiti as part of the ongoing investigation.

Nine areas have been affected so far, covering 67 individual stones, and recording work is expected to finish this week, weather permitting.

"We fully understand the public concern and frustration at seeing graffiti on a much-loved and irreplaceable part of Chester's heritage," said Cllr Karen Shore.

"We are working closely with Historic England, heritage crime specialists from the University of Chester, and Cheshire Police to investigate thoroughly.

"Conservation experts from Chester Cathedral's Works Department are testing cleaning techniques that will not damage the fragile sandstone. This process must be done carefully, but everyone involved is treating it as a high priority."

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The council is also working with Historic England, which is advising on appropriate cleaning and conservation methods.

Historic England approval is required before any graffiti removal can begin, including agreement on the techniques and trial sequences to ensure the stone is not harmed.

Specialist conservators from Chester Cathedral's Works Department have already undertaken successful preliminary cleaning tests on paving samples in their workshop, and are now testing sandstone samples that match the city walls.

This careful testing phase is essential to identify a method that removes paint effectively without damaging the historic fabric.

If approved, small test areas on the walls themselves will be trialled before full-scale removal begins.

Timescales will depend on the outcome of Historic England's assessments, but all partners are prioritising the work and aware of the urgency of returning the walls to their proper condition.