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New Powers To Crackdown On Graffiti And Vandalism In Bootle

Joe Benton MP has welcomed a range of new powers aimed at ridding communities of the scourge of graffiti, that come into force today (Wednesday 31st March). These include a ban on sales of aerosol paints to under-16s, new powers for local authorities to issue penalty notices for graffiti and fly-posting and extra powers for local authorities to remove graffiti from ‘street furniture’, such as phone boxes.

Joe Benton said,

“Today tough new powers for Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council and local police to deal with anti-social behaviour come into force. This issue is one of the top concerns of people in Bootle and these measures will make a real difference to the area.”

“Stopping kids buying aerosol paints and the tough new powers for the police to issue penalty notices for vandalism and graffiti will make Bootle a safer, cleaner place to live.”

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said:

“Graffiti is an eye-sore which blights our communities and damages people’s quality of life. One in three people say that graffiti and vandalism is a problem in their area, and removing graffiti is key part of the Government’s TOGETHER campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour. It is essential if we are to restore pride in our communities, making them better places to live and work.”

“Graffiti is criminal damage, a crime that costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions a year to clean up as well as creating an environment where people feel threatened and fear of crime increases. Measures such as penalty notices and piloting new powers for councils to tackle graffiti more easily send out a strong message that this kind of anti-social behaviour will be tackled not tolerated.”