The incident happened at the end of July and despite the video, the perpetrators have still not been identified. Police issued a still photo from the video sequence last week. Police spokesperson Ruth Braun said they had received some information from residents but investigations are ongoing.

The shop owner tries to remain calm. “It’s very annoying. Such incidents occurred frequently this summer – normally we are spared, apart from one or two incidents a year,” said managing director Philipp Hild.

He arranged for the immediate removal of the graffiti so as not to encourage copycat incidents. “It’s not a very high financial cost, but it does amount to a few hundred euros.” The jeweller is happy not be targeted more often.

If public places are targeted, residents must bear the cost. “The city buildings management department incurred costs in 2015 of around 600,000 euros,” said Stefanie Zießnitz from the press office.

The city also relies on quick intervention. Comprehensive preventative measures like cameras and special paints are too costly or impractical because the graffiti artists have canvasses everywhere, including administrative buildings, schools, pre-schools, bunkers, monuments, bridges, cemeteries and playgrounds.

Braun says young offenders in particular underestimate the risks of their actions. “It is a mistake to rely on the leniency of the juvenile law because the consequences under civil law can still be severe. The claims for damages reach levels perpetrators often did not contemplate.” Helmut Hergarten, chief executive officer of the advice group Haus und Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, confirms this: “It is the owner’s right that things look exactly the same as before. That may mean the entire façade being repainted and then we are talking in the worst cases of costs into the high five figures. It can take years for this to be paid off.”

Braun says those who spray graffiti have only a slight sense of guilt and there is no specific profile. “They see themselves as artists. They are younger people from completely different social backgrounds. There are those who act alone and groups,” says the police spokeswoman. Help from residents also plays a big role in the fight against graffiti.

Spokesman Werner Schui said the public works department’s idea to spray junction boxes with elaborate motifs as a preventative measure was proving successful. “Illegal graffiti artists are holding back and the artworks are being well received by neighbourhoods.” They have invested in special paint so any scrawling can be removed without damaging the picture. “We look forward to any suggestions on Facebook and are continuing with the project,” says Schui. (Original text: Alexander Barth. Translated by Kate Carey.)