Thanet council says the number of graffiti incidents reported to it has gone down significantly.
The number of reports put in to the authority between April and November 2009 has gone down by 13 per cent, compared with the same period last year.
The reduction is being credited to covert operations, educational workshops, a graffiti database, street-art projects and a rapid-removal service.
The graffiti database helps police link the culprit to the style and design of the graffiti and provides evidence for prosecutions.
Zita Wiltshire, the council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “Graffiti can really blight people’s lives, making them feel unsafe and streets look uncared for.
“We really are pleased that by working together the Thanet Community Safety Partnership has helped reduce the number of graffiti incidents across Thanet and through police patrols, CCTV and a dedicated reporting line, we will continue to see graffiti reduce in the future.
“To make sure we tackle the criminals behind the graffiti, we still need local people to report any incidents of graffiti on their property or in their street to us, as we can only prosecute if a report has been made.”
To report an incident of graffiti or vandalism in confidence, phone 01843 577743 or email communitysafety@thanet.gov.uk.
POSTED: 24/12/2009 08:00:00
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