Young taggers earn a ticket on graffiti bus
FLEETWOOD police are spearheading a graffiti clean-up in the port.
And in this latest bit to rub out crime they are getting young culprits to tag along to do the hard work.
A specially-equipped graffiti bus is on loan for the week and some of the area's graffiti blackspots are being highlighted.
In the process, young people who have been daubing paint on buildings will get the message about the cost of the damage they do.
The bus – officially the Restorative Justice Vehicle – is owned by Wyre Community Safety Partnership and is equipped with cleaning materials and a power washer
Community beat manager PC Jason Wainwright said: "It's a great way to get the message across to youngsters.
"We get the names of people who have been spraying graffiti from people in the community.
"Believe it or not some of the kids put their names on the graffiti so that gives us a pretty good idea as well!"
Parent consent forms and other paper work are needed for the youngsters to do the unpaid work and all that is included in the vehicle's equipment.
PC Wainwright added: "The reaction from the kids is very positive.
"The majority of the work we do in this area isn't seen by members of the public so they don't know what is happening.
"But this is a positive way of getting the place cleaned up and letting the youngsters realise what damage they are causing and the cost of cleaning it up."
The bus has been used previously to clean up walls at Fleetwood Sea Cadet base and the changing rooms at King George V Playing Fields.
PCSO Matt Lund said: "There were two lads and they both enjoyed the experience and asked if there was any more they could do, so it was a positive exercise.
"They were a bit unsure what to expect. When we explain the offence was classed as criminal damage the they could be arrested they were happy to get their hands dirty and do some work."
The full article contains 348 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
23 April 2008 11:20 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Blackpool