The WA Police Force is calling on the public to help fight against graffiti in their local communities.
Today the WA Force launched Operation Quadrangle IV, a pro-active operation that calls on the public for support to provide information regarding graffiti in their area.
The state wide task will focus on detection, apprehension and enforcement, with these streams augmented by prevention and community awareness.
According to authorities graffiti costs an estimated $25 million a year in clean- up, it impacts upon community perceptions of crime and can set young offenders on a path of more serious offending.
Senior Sergeant Michael Dallacosta said operation Quadrangle comes following new laws that were introduced two years ago.
“New legislation came into effect namely the Graffiti Vandalism Act 2016 that consolidates laws dealing with graffiti vandalism such as damaging property by graffiti and possessing things to apply graffiti, thus supporting the prosecution of these offences,” he said.
“Quadrangle serves to educate the public about graffiti offending, deter potential offenders from offending and aims to put offenders before the courts.
“This is a crime that can escalate to encourage those to commit more serious crimes without intervention and is costly to the community as whole. By educating our children early on, it helps them avoid the consequences of engaging in such criminal activity.”
To report an incident of graffiti or for parents who are concerned that their child may be engaging in graffiti, there is support and advice on the Goodbye Graffiti website, www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au.
Anyone with information regarding graffiti offences should contact Crime Stoppers.
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