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Leeds graffiti vandal’s war on blank look
A prolific graffiti vandal told police he thought blank walls “needed something added to them”.
The 23-year-old from East End Park, Leeds, was arrested over a spate of graffiti in the Headingley and Hyde Park areas last August.
The tag “Synical” had been sprayed on walls around the area, including one example measuring roughly five metres by one metre on the side of a shop in Headingley.
After being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, the man admitted being responsible for up to 30 different incidents while he was living in Headingley.
When interviewed about the offences he told officers he “got a buzz” from doing it.
He said clean, blank walls were “bland and needed something adding to them”.
He received a formal adult caution for two counts of criminal damage and was warned that he faced being prosecuted in court if he was found committing any further offences.
Officers from the North West Inner neighbourhood policing team works with council clean-up teams to pinpoint the most badly affected areas so they can target them with patrols during the hours offenders are most likely to be on the streets. Police keep records of different tags and use CCTV evidence to identify culprits.
Insp Ian O’Brien, said: “Graffiti is criminal damage which costs local businesses and council tax payers thousands of pounds in clean-up costs. It ruins how the area looks and makes people feel unsafe.
“I hope that this latest success in our ongoing work to clamp down on graffiti in the area will be welcomed by local residents and businesses.
“We will continue to actively pursue those who are responsible for these offences over the coming week and months and hope this sends out a clear deterrent message.”
Anyone who sees graffiti vandals actively committing offences should call the police on 999.
Residents can also pass on any information to the North West Inner team on 0113 205 3025 or email: aa.nptnwinner@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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Justin Keenan
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:18 PMwhoop! He got a basic caution, a slap on the wrist. He didn't have to pay for any of the clean-up costs or help clean up any of his mess.
Leeds Escorts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 09:57 AMIts really something, which should not happen. We all should try to protest calmly. A good article and well arranged story. http:www.crimsonfolly.comleeds-escorts
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