Boy, 12, admits eight counts of graffiti damage

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from Ashtead has admitted eight counts of graffiti in Ashtead over the last two months after good detective work by police.

The youngster was tracked down by Surrey Police's Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Ashtead, PC Jason Woods and British Transport Police's PC Steve Corner.

Together the pair have been tackling the problem of graffiti, both in the village and at the railway station, as many of the "tags" - the sign identifying the perpetrator - belong to the same offenders.

Two other youths have been charged with criminal damage and a 17-year-old sentenced after admitting 12 charges of graffiti and asking for 32 other offences to be taken into consideration.

PC Woods said he had recently arrested a 12-year-old from Ashtead on suspicion of criminal damage .

He explained: "He admitted eight offences of graffiti and due to his age and previous good character he has received a formal reprimand."

He said he was also trying to arrange that the offenders were the ones who would clean the graffiti up.

Anyone who has any information on graffiti in Mole Valley, who sees a new piece of graffiti or knows someone who boasts about tagging, can call the Surrey Police graffiti hotline on 01306 676858 where there is a 24-hour answerphone to take messages.