A graffiti database has been set up in Edinburgh to help trace those responsible for defacing buildings with their images.

The Safer Communities Unit (SCU) is working with the council Environmental Task Force to tackle graffiti and personalised ‘tags’ in the Leith area. Now officers have identified that a small number of ‘taggers’ are responsible for a significant amount of damage.

The ‘tags’, sprayed on homes and businesses, can cost from £30 - £1500 to remove. They have a negative impact not only on the victims but also on the community.

The SCU has set up a database with photographs of the graffiti. This is the first of its kind in Edinburgh. Using the database and Internet research the SCU have already traced and reported one youth to the Procurator Fiscal.

Sergeant Mark Rennie from the Safer Communities Unit at Leith police station said:
“This illustrates the benefit of taking a longer term approach to the issue and collating information in conjunction with our council partners. We hope that this initiative sends out the message that if you are intent on damaging property in this way we are committed to finding you.

“We won’t stop until we track down those doing the damage in the area. Looking further ahead, we are also in consultation with council lawyers with a view to seeking Antisocial Behaviour Orders for those people we catch, to prevent them from possessing spray paint cans or going to certain locations.”

Stonecleaning, Paint Removal and Graffiti Treatment [3] (pdf)

Local Police News [4]