Police have issued a tongue-in-cheek but firm warning after potholes were spray-painted into the shape of male anatomy – insisting it will not speed up repairs and could even land offenders in trouble.
In a post shared on social media, Exmouth Police said they were making “a bit of an odd request” and noted there was “no photo to support this for fear of losing my job”.
Officers wrote: “Potholes. Yes yes yes. We are all a bit fed up of them but could I just kindly ask that they do not, with the assistance of spray paint, get turned into items of male anatomy.
“We all hate potholes but it being turned into a ‘ball’ (all other words even scientific ones are prohibited in this app!) does not mean the pot hole gets fixed quicker.”
They added that while some may see humour in the act, it can create further issues.
“It does mean that a different council has to clean it up, we may have to record it as criminal damage etc (ironic I know). This all takes time and money and none of it solves the hole in the road because the police do not routinely carry pre-mixed tarmac in our cars.”
The force also said some residents could find the images offensive.
“Whilst there is undoubtedly a perceived comedy to this, a lot of people will find it offensive and it brings the tone of the neighbourhood down.”
Officers confirmed they had reported one example for removal.
“And yes, I have reported the one outside the Strand pub for clean up.”
The post comes amid ongoing frustration in many communities over the condition of local roads, but police stressed that vandalising potholes does not result in faster repairs.
