Vandals forced to clean up after themselves

10:20pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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GRAFFITI vandals have been forced to clean up the mess they made following a successful police crackdown.

A team of officers was put together for Operation Deal to identify the people behind a spate of graffiti taggings.

Using photographic evidence and with the help of local newspapers, intelligence and detailed searches of websites the culprits were tracked down.

Police found most of the tagging in Hereford was caused by a small number of people.

So far seven people, mainly teenagers, have been interviewed and processed with some receiving reprimands or cautions, while others have appeared in youth court Two youths were found guilty of several offences at Herefordshire Youth Court and had more than forty offences taken into consideration for sentencing.

They were ordered to pay a total of £500 compensation, £60 costs each and given the maximum 12-month community works order to go around the city cleaning off their tags.

Acting Superintendent Sue Thomas said: "This has been a detailed piece of work by local officers to identify those responsible and for them to receive appropriate sanctions.

“What has been particularly pleasing is the recognition those responsible should be made to clean it up.”