Website identifying graffiti vandals

The website, Hull Against Graffiti, is run by Hull Council, Humberside Police and the city’s community wardens and has helped to bring several offenders to justice.

Insp Bill Grieve, of the East and Park Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Graffiti often makes the areas look run down and uninviting, but by working with our partners we are determined to continue the improvements seen over the last 10 months and ensure that Hull becomes a flourishing and vibrant city where people would like to live, work and visit.

“Our pledge is that we will continue to work hard to catch those people making streets undesirable by linking offenders to all their tags regardless if they are committed in the city centre or on the outskirts of the city.

“However, in order to achieve this we will need help from the public by taking a stand against graffiti. They can do this by reporting those responsible for criminal damage. Together with your help we can show that graffiti is not tolerated in Hull.”

In one case currently going through the courts a 17-year-old boy has been identified as the suspect for over 200 offences, while in the west of the city a 16 year-old boy was found to be responsible for five incidents of criminal damage.

Last month, a boy aged 14 admitted seven graffiti offences after his “tag” was identified on the website.

The youth was questioned after graffiti on a disused adult education centre was linked to him. He admitted being responsible for six similar offences in the area.

Coun Mike Ross, portfolio holder for customer and neighbourhood Services, said: “The support of the local community is vital in the success of this and the fact that this website has been so popular helps the council and the police in tackling the problem, but also to show what is being done.”