CLOSED circuit television tapes were being studied today in an effort to catch the culprits responsible for dousing Sir Bobby Robson's statue in paint.

CLOSED circuit television tapes were being studied today in an effort to catch the culprits responsible for dousing Sir Bobby Robson's statue in paint.

Police were alerted to incident at around 9.30am today by passers by.

A tin of grey paint was removed from the scene by a policewoman following the incident.

Ipswich Borough Council immediately sent a member of their Highway Cleansing Team – armed with a high-pressured washer – to clean the statue.

The statue was being cleaned for over two and half hours this morning in an effort to remove the paint.

The grey paint – thought to be floor paint – was splashed over the base and the foot of Sir Bobby Robson's statue. The remaining parts of the statue were left untouched.

Andy Milward, of Ipswich Borough Council's Highway Cleansing Team, said that he was confident that all the paint would be able to be removed from the statue before tomorrow's match with Derby County.

He said: "We will make him handsome again."

Ipswich Borough Council is currently examining closed circuit television cameras located in the area to try and identify the culprits.

"We don't know whether they have been caught on film, but that area is covered by CCTV," said a spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council.

"This is a mindless act which has shocked not only the council but everyone in the whole area," said a spokesman for the council.

"This does nothing to alter the high esteem in which Sir Bobby is held by people across the area," he said.

The statue was unveiled on July 16 under blaze of publicity. The opening ceremony of the statue attracted a large crowd, including former players of Ipswich Town in Sir Bobby Robson's era and some members of his family.

The statue was erected in recognition of Sir Bobby's 13 years spent at the club. Many fans remember his era as the most successful in the history of Ipswich Town.

The project was funded by Ipswich Town Supporters Club, Ipswich Borough Council and TXU.

The Sir Alf Ramsey statue, situated behind the North Stand on Sir Alf Ramsey Way, was left untouched.

The Evening Star is offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who provides any information leading towards the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.

If you have any information about the incident you The Star newsdesk on 01473 282257.