Graffiti artists in Watford clean up their act (From Watford Observer)

Graffiti artists in Watford clean up their act

2:00pm Monday 22nd June 2009 in

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Prolific graffiti artists, who daubed their tags across Watford, have been forced to clean up their act after causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The two teenagers, who used the tags 'Loor' and 'Selt', were caught following a joint operation between police and Watford Borough Council, which was highlighted in the Watford Observer last year.

Mayor Dorothy Thornhill has now warned: “We don't want tagging in our town”, after the pair were fined and made to remove their artwork.

The Watford Observer backed the 'Bag a Tagger' campaign in November, which saw police offer a £250 reward for information that led them to identify a graffiti artist in the town.

The successful prosecution was the result of a year-long operation by police, council officers and other local organisations known as ASBAG (Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group).

Mayor Thornhill said: “Most local youngsters understand why we are tough on this and respect our town. Unfortunately it is a few selfish individuals that give the rest a bad name.

“These successful prosecutions reinforce the message that we don’t want tagging in our town. It costs local taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds a year of money that I would rather spend on better things for our young people.

“These two youths caused thousands of pounds worth of damage over many locations in the borough and distress and inconvenience to residents and businesses.

“This successful prosecution sends out a clear message that this type of anti-social behaviour that damages property and impacts on the well being of our town will be dealt with vigorously.”

Liam Fitzgerald, Watford Borough Council’s anti social behaviour coordinator, added: “It was an “impressive achievement to trace the two guilty parties given the short time it takes to tag a wall, the fact that the only information that we had to go on was their tags and the availability of the materials used”.

The two taggers are now working with Hayley Brockwitz, a youth offending team officer, who works with young people aged ten to 18 to reduce their risk of offending or reoffending.

She said: “As part of the court order received by the two young people, work has been carried out on issues such as the consequences of their offences on the local community, the public’s perception of anti social behaviour, victim awareness and empathy.

“As part of the restorative justice process, the young people have carried out reparation work on a local youth club, which has been a prime target for local taggers. This session of direct reparations allowed the two young people to see at first hand the consequences of their actions and make amends for the damage caused.”