§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions in the last year for which figures are available the British Transport Police successfully prosecuted offenders for graffiti damage. [HL1275]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe British Transport Police (BTP) has provided the following information:
Year Graffiti offences reported to BTP Detected by BTP % rate detected 1998 589 172 29 1999 684 185 27 2000 676 200 30 The BTP does not hold information on the number of successful prosecutions. Instead records are kept on the number of "detections". These figures include all matters that have been, or are currently pending, a prosecution at court. They also include all cases that have been finalised other than by prosecution, e.g. by formal warnings or cautions issued according to Crown Prosecution policy guidelines.