Tagging the taggers

Graffiti isn't just unsightly. It's criminal damage, which costs each one of us money to remove. That's why Gloucestershire Crimestoppers ran a campaign to identify taggers operating in Gloucester.

Pictures of tags found throughout the city were published in the local media and a £250 reward offered for people helping us to identify the criminals responsible.

Several anonymous phone calls to Crimestoppers provided valuable information, which was followed up by police. The next plan is to involve schools in the photo campaign, so that young people can help shed light on the identity of the criminals.

Graffiti can encourage other criminals to add their tags. This could lead to a spiral of decline for an area with people thinking it's ok to commit other acts of theft and vandalism.

It costs £1million each year to keep Gloucester clean and this includes cleaning up graffiti. Graffiti is criminal damage. Anyone causing up to £5,000 of damage faces 3 months in prison and a fine of up to £2,500.