Revealed: Most prolific tags in Exeter as cash reward offered for information on graffiti
Cleansing bosses have stepped up their fight against graffiti in the city.
They are offering a ‘sizeable’ cash reward for information which leads to the conviction of prolific taggers.
And they have secured a grant of £2,000 from the city’s Community Safety Partnership which will be used to buy 30 cleansing kits for community associations to clean ‘low level’ graffiti.
The city council has set up a Facebook page – www.facebook.com/TheWritingOTW – which features the work of paint vandals.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
And information is required about the prolific offenders responsible for these four images.
Complaints from residents about graffiti are increasing and the new kits will enable volunteers from community associations to clean paint from house walls and gates.
The council will also pay for packs which will give householders advice about dealing with graffiti and a sticker appealing for anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.
Robert Norley, the city’s assistant director for environment, said: “We want to make it absolutely clear that tagging is a criminal offence – it is not just a little bit of fun and those found guilty and convicted will have a criminal record.
“We are offering what I would describe as a sizeable cash reward for information leading to a conviction.
“Tagging makes an area look run down. Also, it costs people a lot to deal with graffiti.”
Mr Norley added: “We are looking to have one or two community associations in a pilot scheme with the cleaning kits and packs. If these are successful we would hope to introduce it in other wards.”
St James’ city councillor Kevin Mitchell is keen for his ward to take part.
“Tagging is a mindless act that has a major detrimental impact on communities, not only is it unsightly but it can also lead to an increase in other anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“St James has recently been targeted by taggers but I know that the local community will not tolerate this intrusion.
“I very much support the pilot that will occur elsewhere in the city and look forward to it being rolled out to St James in the future.
“I would also call on anyone who knows anything about the individuals who carry out tagging to contact the police – it is a crime, should not be tolerated and should be treated robustly.”
If you see any of the tags across the city we are asking readers to take a photo and send it in to echonews@expressandecho.co.uk, or tweet it to as @thisis_exeter, so we can create a map of where the graffiti has been seen. Please state where the tag is in the email.
Anyone with information about the tags or the taggers in the photographs, or of any others in the city, should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
3 Comments
by woe_is_me1
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:25PM
“The actions of someone who wishes to draw attention to themselves done in a manner that can never draw attention to themselves. They must be very confused and need help as well as prosecution.”
by Exon_Iphone
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 10:30AM
“Couldn't agree more MrVanKleefe. It's hardly art. Just awful scribbles. Hope they catch the little b**gers.”
by MrVanKleefe
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 9:56AM
“This character obviously has an artistic bent. Banksey must be green with envy. They should tattoo this on the face of the wally responsible.”