Discussion Forum

Publicising Good Practice

Feedback from North London Safer Neighbourhoods Team in April 2007

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (civil and voluntary) are regularly being instigated in relation to graffiti/ASB offenders (particularly those who are council tenants). Specific emphasis is put on writing implements "which may be used" for graffiti.

Feedback from an East Dorset Councillor in December 2006

Restorative Justice Brings Vandals To Account
In East Dorset a resorative justice conference has been held between five youths responsible for graffiti and vandalism of a youth club and school, and members of the community affected by their actions. The youth club was forced to close following the attack and there was over £800 worth of damage to the building. The youths were made to understand how their actions had made people at the youth centre and school feel and how in addition they had hurt their parents who were also present at the conference. They young people, who in addition received a "final warning" from the police, agreed to pay back the cost of the damage. The Council's anti social behaviour officer together with local police officers will continue to monitor the behaviour of the youths concerned to ensure no reoccurance.
Restorative Justice and community conferencing is a powerful way of bringing offenders to account. By making them truly understand how the consequences of their actions and how they make people feel, they will hopefully be less inclined to reoffend.

Response from GraffitiHotline

Thank you for your input. Later this year, we will be undertaking a survey and research into suitable punishments and deterrents for graffiti offenders. Restorative justice, I have no doubt, will feature strongly in this.

News from London in September 2006

Two teenage vandals responsible for up to £100,000 worth of graffiti damage across the south east of the UK have been ordered to be detained. The pair pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Guildhall Crown Court. The two were given eighteen months and two years in a young offenders institution.

The court heard how they were so proud of what they were doing that they could not resist taking a host of incriminating pictures of themselves wielding an array of spray cans and leaving their so-called "tags".

For more information click here

News from Southend in September 2006

A graffiti amnesty will be launched in Southend, as the first of a range of crime prevention initiatives across the neighbourhood, which has been blighted by vandals in recent months.

People will be encouraged to dump spray cans and marker pens in the amnesty bins, with no questions asked.

For more information click here

Feedback from Newport Council in September 2006

"I am in the process of organising a local under 8's football side painting some graffiti strewn garages. My colleagues and I have bought them a new football strip on the understanding they earn it. By getting them to paint the garages with full publicity from the local paper we hope to send out the right message to the neighbourhood."

Feedback from Taunton Council in September 2006

In my town Taunton, the town centre manager, has linked with the probation service, and as part of their community service, they have an excellent relationship going out and removing graffiti in central areas of the town.