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Cleaning up graffiti is costing Leicestershire tax payers a staggering £40,000+ every year. Do you have a problem with graffiti in your area? If so, the Trading Standards Service wants to hear from you.
Although to some it may be regarded as ‘art’ to the majority of people it is an eye sore or at worse offensive. It will come as no surprise that evidence suggests young people are responsible for most of the graffiti. It is believed that the percentage of graffiti committed by persons under 16 years of age is well over 60%
Age restrictions on buying spray paint helps to reduce graffiti by restricting the supply of paint to youngsters. Leicestershire Trading Standards Service use young volunteers to check that shops are not selling to young people who are under 16 years of age. When this does happen then both the employer and employee could face a fine of up to £2500 each.
A recent test purchase operation resulted in 2 sales to a 13 year old child volunteer out of 6 attempts. A further test purchase exercise is planned.
David Bull, Head of the Trading Standards Service said: “There are conflicting views on graffiti. Although to some it is seen as ‘street art’, too often it includes offensive language or obscene images crudely spray painted by a selfish minority. The cost of cleaning up the mess leaves less money to spend on new facilities and resources that benefit the rest of us. We want to support efforts to stop illegal graffiti appearing by helping retailers comply with the law on underage sales.”
Retailers who would like an advice pack, containing refusals registers, training records and stickers to help prevent illegal sales of age restricted products, should contact the Trading Standards Business Advice line on 0116 265 8000.
If you know of a shop that sells to children or know of any areas where problem graffiti occurs please telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
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Press release issued: January 19 2007
