THIS is the graffiti which is driving people in North Oxford quackers.

Painted ducks with the word “quack” have appeared on properties in Walton Street, Walton Crescent, Pusey Street and several other areas around North Oxford.

Oxford City Council said it was aware of the graffiti but all instances reported were on private property and it was powerless to act unless invited.

Pictures of the ducks have also appeared on Twitter as users try to uncover the identity of the persons responsible.

Jordan Heeley, who works at Walton Street post office, said: “I can see two of them from the post office. They just popped up out of nowhere.

“I have no idea what they mean. I think it is just one of those random things.”

Thames Valley Police did not comment on whether it was investigating the new duck graffiti.

James Fordham, of Oxford Ceramics, which now has a duck on its wall, said: “It appeared around a week ago but it has suddenly gone up everywhere. There are a few more on Walton Street.

“I wouldn’t know what it means. It is a shame it is on an historic building, but what can you do?”

Graffiti “tags” which have plagued Oxford in recent years include “soak” and “BWS” in East Oxford.

Last year graffiti tagger Charlie Silver, then 21 and of no fixed address, had to pay £200 after admitting one of four “soak” crimes he was charged with.

But “soak” tags have been seen since his arrest, and police have refused to say whether they are still actively seeking a suspect for the other incidents.

The city council has said the number of complaints about graffiti in Oxford has dropped by half as the money being spent on cleaning it has risen.

In 2010-11, the authority received 825 reports, falling to 679 the following year and 390 in the past 12 months.

At the same time, the amount of taxpayers’ money being used to tackle the problem has gone up from £96,000 to £101,000 in 2011-12 and £107,000 in 2012-13.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Rhianne Pope said officers were investigating the graffiti.

She said: “Thames Valley Police is aware of the graffiti.

“Anyone with information on the graffiti is asked to contact the police via the 24-hour police enquiry centre on 101.”