Graffiti crackdown possible

Jacquie Bell, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Stockton South is calling for a crack down on graffiti. She is backing Lib Dem John Hemming, MP for Birmingham Yardley who is calling for action on spray painted slogans on walls and doorways.

He has won cross party support to ensure that the mess is removed - that those responsible clear up the mess themselves. Labour and Conservative MPs have backed his proposals that those who create the mess are ordered to remove it.

These messages could be implemented in the Government's Policing and Crime Bill or in a new policy introduced by Mr Hemming.

Mr Hemming's ideas follow on from studies at the University of Groningen in Holland which show that people are more likely to ignore their environment if it is already messy.

It is felt that those who make the mess should be compelled to clean up after themselves. Mr Hemming has sponsored a motion that says that those caught making a mess should receive penalty notices and if they deny involvement can be prosecuted through the court system.