Writing on the wall for vandals
DO you recognise these graffiti tags?It is hoped snapshots of these graffiti signatures, known as tags, might mean the writing is on the wall for some vandals across Suffolk.
Simon Tomlinson
DO you recognise these graffiti tags?
It is hoped snapshots of these graffiti signatures, known as tags, might mean the writing is on the wall for some vandals across Suffolk.
A council has set up a taggers' database of pictures which is shared with the police to help them prosecute offenders.
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Babergh's Community Safety Partnership has bought digital cameras for police community support officers and council staff who regularly encounter graffiti in their area.
The evidence they gather could help police officers who have already charged someone for spraying the same tag elsewhere or to build up a pattern of their movements.
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Community Safety Officer Ann Scott, who instigated the scheme, said: “Babergh is very safe and does not have a major graffiti problem. We just like to be prepared as it is starting to become a trend.
“We also create posters which get distributed to schools, libraries, youth clubs, community centres and sports halls.
“We hope that a member of the public will know who is responsible for that tag or recognize the handwriting and come forward.”
Residents are also being urged to contribute to the database by taking their own pictures and sending them in. A small reward is on offer for information that leads to a successful conviction.
Graffiti costs the UK more than £1billion a year to remove and a guilty tagger can be fined up to £5,000.
A Suffolk police spokeswoman said evidence gathered across the county can also help pinpoint problem areas and work towards stemming long-term anti-social behaviour.
If you have any information or would like to send in pictures for the database call Ann Scott on 01473 826622 or e-mail community@babergh.gov.uk. You can also call the Safer Neighbourhood Teams on 01473 613500.
Do you think the database will help reduce crime? Is your property blighted by graffiti? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
