AN initiative to combat graffiti in Three Rivers claimed success this week.

Operation Tag, a joint project between police and Three Rivers District Council (TRDC), punished a prolific vandal by making him spend a day cleaning up graffiti around the district with the council workers, as an alternative to being taken to court and prosecuted.

Roger Seabourne, portfolio holder for community safety at TRDC, said: "Graffiti is not only unsightly but also costly to clear up money which could be put to far better use in the district.

"We have every right to be proud of the clean and tidy appearance of the district."

Chief Inspector at Hertfordshire police, Matt Nicholls, said: "We recently arrested two youths on suspicion of racist graffiti in South Oxhey and they are currently on police bail.

"We are continuing to work in the community to find out who is responsible for graffiti, which is criminal damage and will not be tolerated.

"If you know who is responsible for blighting your community, let us know so that we can help put a stop to it."

The police and the council's work has also included taking photographs of tags sprayed in the area to local schools, to help identify offenders.

The council has a commitment to remove graffiti within 48 hours of it being reported, and remove racist and other offensive graffiti within three hours of a report.

The Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership will soon introduce cameras in the district to catch offenders carrying out graffiti and other anti-social behaviour.

To report graffiti to the council telephone 01923 776611.

Anyone who sees offensive graffiti in the area can report this to Hertfordshire police on 0845 33 00 222.