COUNCIL chiefs have been criticised after a row over red tape meant it took more than a week to remove racist graffiti.

A racial slur was spray-painted in large lettering onto the side of the Sugar Hill convenience store in Darlington more than a week ago.

The shop’s owners, Paul and Donna Kirby, reported the offensive graffiti to the police and Darlington Borough Council on Monday, February 9.

The couple had to wait for the graffiti to be removed from the store, in Stooperdale Avenue, because the council insisted they had to sign a consent form before Street Scene could be dispatched to clean up.

Mr Kirby was unable to access the council’s online form and so had to wait for a letter to be sent out by second-class mail.

He says the council then claimed not to have received his reply, meaning he had to wait for a replacement form to be sent out – also via second-class post.

The graffiti was removed today (Tuesday, February 17) after the council received the consent form – but Mr Kirby said the delay could have affected his business.

Mr Kirby said: “My wife and I were shocked to see the graffiti and we don’t know why we were targeted.

“It could have affected our business, especially in this day and age – it’s a sensitive subject and needed immediate attention.

“It’s a nice area we live in and this kind of thing demoralises and devalues it a bit.”

“For something so simple and sensitive, I would have expected them to act faster – I don’t know why, in 2015, they still need to send letters backwards and forwards, it seems a little bit prehistoric.

He said it was a relief to have the graffiti gone but added: “There’s too much red tape and bureaucracy – everyone’s shaking their heads at why this has taken so long. It’s farcical.”

A council spokesperson said: “As a rule, it is the responsibility of the land owner to organise removal of graffiti, but as the council we do carry out this service.

“We need signed consent from the owner of the property before doing so. It’s regrettable that the form got delayed, but we do offer the option of signing electronically when an email address is provided.”