Graffiti in Kirklees is being tackled by a campaign aiming at encouraging people to report graffiti, and suspect offenders, via a confidential free phone line.
Crimestoppers with the division’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Kirklees Council are urging the public to ‘name the tagger’ anonymously through the 0800 line.
The drive is focused on reducing criminal damage and improving the public’s perception on their environment. The council will be issuing posters containing images of graffiti from across the area and a number for the public to ring to report sightings or information on suspected offenders.
Through information then gathered by Crimestoppers, the division’s intelligence unit and the Council, offenders will be identified.
Detective Constable Kevin Mosley of Yorkshire and Humberside Crimestoppers said: “Graffiti is an eyesore in the community and makes people think the area is suffering from high levels of crime, which isn’t necessarily the case. This is basically criminal damage, costing thousands of pounds worth of damage, which needs stamping out.
“We would also like to put the fear of crime back to the offender and make it clear that they are the ones being watched, either by the public or a member of the criminal gang who maybe tempted to ‘name the tagger’. What we’re asking the public to do is ring us on 0800 555111 with information about those individuals they know are responsible. If that person is arrested and then charged with criminal damage the caller can claim up to a £1000 reward. It is a simple as that and the caller always remains anonymous.”
