PCSO launches graffiti campaign

4:56pm Tuesday 28th June 2005

A POLICE Community Support Officer (PCSO) who has patrolled the streets of Bushey for nearly a year is launching a campaign to rid the area of graffiti.

Father of two Mike Sibley, from Potters Bar, has created a poster featuring samples of local graffiti tags which have been put up in local schools, with the aim of identifying offenders and bringing them to justice.

He said: "Graffiti is not an attractive sight and it ruins the way a town looks. Spraying graffiti is anti-social and causes a nuisance to the local community. It's a widespread problem - it's extremely irritating and I want to do something about it.

"We decided to put the posters up in schools because often when a young graffiti artist has a tag, they will draw it on a school book or somewhere in the grounds.

"We're just sitting waiting for some results now. The people we catch will be charged with criminal damage."

Anyone with any information regarding graffiti in the area can telephone Bushey police station on 01923 472711.

PCSOs were first introduced across the UK in April 2003 to complement the work of officers by providing a reassuring presence and focusing on lower level crime and disorder.

Mr Sibley said: "I like to keep busy and my role as a PCSO definitely keeps me occupied. I'd recommend this role to anyone who is looking for a job which is satisfying and varied."