§ Ann KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce the level of graffiti. [146320]
§ Ms BlearsThe Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduces a package of measures to prevent graffiti and to ensure that it is removed swiftly when it does occur.
The Act will give local authorities new powers to clean graffiti from certain types of property, including cable boxes, post boxes, phone booths, and property associated with public transport. It will also contain proposals to restrict the sale of spray paints to under 16s
Number of juveniles found guilty at all courts of all offences and number given cautions, North West region, 1992 to 2002 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 St. Helens Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 270 216 240 219 227 227 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— Merseyside police force area (including St. Helens) Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 2,510 2,112 2,260 2,478 2,889 2,789 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 4,602 3,748 3,209 2,495 2,693 3,569 North West region (including Merseyside)2 Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 11,912 9,784 10,810 19,461 12,644 13,127 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 22,676 19,110 11,635 17,708 18,446 16,581 450W
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 St. Helens Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 224 373 373 408 346 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— Merseyside police force area (including St. Helens) Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 2,780 2,613 3,096 3,142 3,029 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 3,909 3,554 2,177 1,498 1,793 North West region (including Merseyside)2 Persons aged 10–17 found guilty 13,866 14,389 16,032 16,455 16,209 Persons aged 10–17 receiving a caution1 19,026 16,328 12,501 11,966 9,750 1 Cautions for persons under 18 were replaced by reprimands and final warnings from June 2000. 2 Includes police force areas of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. 3 not available. and give Local Authorities the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for graffiti. This means offenders will have to pay a £50 penalty or be prosecuted through the courts.
In November we launched the Name that Tag poster campaign which offers a £500 reward for information about targeted prolific taggers. This campaign is a partnership between the Home Office, Crimestoppers, Network Rail London Underground and British Transport Police and runs in London, Liverpool and Manchester.