Vandals spray graffiti on three construction vehicles in Akureyri

Three construction vehicles belonging to G. Hjálmarsson were sprayed with graffiti in Móahverfi, a new neighbourhood under construction in northern Akureyri, mbl.is reports. The damage could cost millions of Icelandic krónur if the paint cannot be removed.

Workers discovered the damage when they arrived at the construction site on Tuesday morning. Two tracked machines and a truck had been vandalised with words including “loser” and “envy”, as well as a dollar sign.

“I am practically speechless. I do not understand what is happening here,” Hjálmar Guðmundsson, one of the company’s owners, told mbl.is.

The total cost of the damage has not yet been determined. Guðmundsson said the expense could become substantial if the machines have to be repainted and fitted with new stickers and markings. Attempts have been made to remove some of the spray paint, but it does not appear to be coming off.

The company is insured against vandalism. Police went to the scene immediately and are investigating. Cameras are located at several points around the construction site, and efforts are under way to collect evidence.

Guðmundsson said there had been other cases of vandalism and crime in the area, including break-ins at construction companies, stolen tools and broken windows in vehicles. He said G. Hjálmarsson had otherwise worked in Móahverfi for almost four years without problems and had no disputes that he could link to the vandalism.

He has contacted Akureyri municipality about installing cameras in Móahverfi. Guðmundsson said this was needed not only to protect machinery and other property, but also to improve the safety of residents and children walking from the neighbourhood to Síðuskóli.

He urged anyone with information about the incident to contact him or the police.