Cops Crack Down on Graffiti

Police target graffiti crime




Police are asking people to inform their local council of any illegal graffiti in a campaign to help officers crack down on vandalism.
People in Daventry are being urged to report graffiti on any property to the district council as Northamptonshire Police seeks assistance in tracking down the culprits.Pc Stuart Watts, the force's Crime and Disorder Officer for Daventry District, said: "Graffiti can be a real problem as it affects how people feel about an area, so we treat it very seriously."We would encourage anyone who witnesses graffiti offences, or knows of possible offenders, to report it as we will act on information given to us."Graffiti is classed as criminal damage and, if prosecuted, offenders can receive a criminal record.Pc Watts said residents and businesses in rural areas of the district were also urge
d to take part in the crackdown.He said: "We do see hot-spots of graffiti in rural areas, often in places where young people congregate. It might not be so prevalent in villages but is equally important that we do what we can to try to prevent the problem."A similar crackdown in summer last year led to more than 30 crimes of graffiti being reported in Daventry and several youngsters were arrested.Daventry District Council will only remove graffiti from its own land and property, but it is also working with organisations and private land-owners to ensure they take responsibility for removing it themselves.Anyone with information can speak in confidence to Daventry District Council's Environmental Cleansing Officer, Emma Yoxen, on 01327 300001 or email csdcustomerservices@daventrydc.gov.uk.
The full article contains 273 words and appears in Northampton Chron & Echo newspaper.
Last Updated: 07 December 2007 9:03 PM