Published on the This Is Worcester site at http://www.thisisworcestershire.co.uk/

GRAFFITI louts in Worcestershire will have to clean up the mess they make as part of a new police scheme. The action aims to crack down on graffiti, following a recent spate in the play area at Abbey Park in Pershore. Two juveniles, who admitted causing this graffiti to police, on Tuesday, July 10, were made to clean the scrawl yesterday, encouraged by the mother of one offender.

Pershore beat manager Roy Storr looks at the damage in Abbey Park, Pershore

Police will continue to work with Wychavon District Council, who supplied the specialist cleaning products, in a bid to end the graffiti once and for all. "This is restorative justice on a small scale and hopefully it will make others think twice before committing any form of criminal damage," said Pershore beat manager PC Roy Storr. Working together "However, police action alone can only provide short-term solutions.

"Longer solutions require the efforts of other agencies - and the community itself - working together." The clean-up operation comes just weeks after Worcester City councillor Derek Prodger called for a "war on graffiti". The former mayor said walls should be set aside for "artistic" youths to practice. He told the Evening News that walls in discreet places could be used for talented youngsters to draw on. "There's no doubt there's some artistic talent which could be expressed properly," said Coun Prodger.

Youth culture

"We should be looking to accommodate this new culture, but not in a way which damages Worcester's beautiful buildings." The suggestion came after Worcestershire youth Ian Rogers admitted more than 30 counts of criminal damage for his graffiti across the Faithful City. The 18-year-old, of Woodgate Green, Knighton-on-Teme, near Tenbury Wells, blamed youth culture for his actions. He urged youths not to spread graffiti after apologising to Droitwich magistrates who fined him £650 and gave him a two-year conditional discharge.