Mindless vandals spray offensive graffiti all over ancient Llansteffan Castle — and police want to know who did it
Someone decided to take a can of blue spray paint to one of west Wales’s most iconic castles. Now Dyfed-Powys Police want to know who.
Officers from the Rural Crime Team are investigating after offensive graffiti was discovered daubed across the walls of the North Tower and East Bastion at Castell Llansteffan — believed to have been sprayed at some point between 1 and 10 May.
The damage includes offensive language sprayed directly onto the ancient stonework that has stood on its hilltop overlooking the Tywi estuary for the best part of nine centuries. The pictures speak for themselves.
Damage to the stonework at Castell Llansteffan. Picture: Dyfed-Powys PoliceThe ancient stonework of Castell Llansteffan. Picture: Dyfed-Powys PoliceThe historic walls of Castell Llansteffan. Picture: Dyfed-Powys PoliceLlansteffan Castle is a Grade I listed monument in the care of Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. It dates to the Norman period — the first fortifications were built in the 12th century — and the distinctive stone walls of the North Tower and East Bastion are among the most recognisable elements of the structure.
For generations of local families and visitors from across the world, the castle has been a place to walk, explore and connect with the remarkable history of this stretch of Carmarthenshire coastline. The idea that someone thought it was an appropriate place to scrawl abuse will strike most people as beyond comprehension.
What makes it worse is that heritage crime — as this kind of damage is classified — is not a minor offence. Dyfed-Powys Police describe it as any unlawful activity which harms historic assets, and say it is treated with the same seriousness as criminal damage anywhere else.
The castle is thought to have been raised by Norman invaders soon after 1100 AD.(Image: CADW)
The spray paint could cause lasting damage to the medieval stonework. Removing graffiti from ancient masonry is a painstaking, expensive and sometimes impossible process — specialist conservators are often needed, and heavy-handed removal can cause more damage than the graffiti itself.
Cadw and local conservation groups have invested significantly in maintaining sites like Llansteffan in recent years. The castle attracts thousands of visitors annually and is one of the highlights of the Carmarthenshire coast for walkers doing the Wales Coast Path.
Heritage crime is on the rise across Wales. Historic buildings, ancient monuments, listed walls and scheduled sites have all been targeted in recent years — and authorities are increasingly treating attacks on irreplaceable historic assets as a priority area of enforcement.
The castle of Llansteffan stands in a wonderfully picturesque location, crowning the top of a well-defined headland looking out over the broad sand-flats of the Tywi estuary.(Image: CADW)
Vandalism at Neath Abbey prompted a similar plea from authorities, who urged the public to help protect historic sites from those who have no regard for their significance.
Dyfed-Powys Police have not released information about suspects and are appealing to anyone who saw anything at the site between 1 and 10 May to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to report it online to Dyfed-Powys Police quoting reference number 26000373428, or by calling 101. If a heritage crime is happening now, call 999.
Heritage crime and rural crime in west Wales
Public urged to help protect historic sites after vandalism at Neath Abbey
A similar appeal after one of Neath’s most historic monuments was targeted by vandals.
Family winched to safety after tide forces them up cliff near Llansteffan
A reminder of why Llansteffan draws visitors — and the dramatic coastline that surrounds the castle.