'Blue sky thinking' stops vandals

Police say the window designs have made a real difference

Images of white clouds and sunny skies have been praised for deterring vandals from targeting a derelict building.

Artist Stig Evans was commissioned to come up with designs for a disused pub in Sussex Street in Brighton which had been plagued by graffiti taggers.

The project was coordinated by Brighton and Hove City Council and backed by Sussex Police.

The former Lion and Unicorn pub has not been vandalised since the images were placed on its windows four months ago.

'Respect for art'

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "It's made a real difference to the area.

"Even though that building has been derelict for some months it's not been vandalised.

"The residents seem to have welcomed the idea, it's improved the look of the area and their quality of life.

"It's unusual and quite calming. People seem to have a respect for the art of it."