MP backs graffiti bill (From Chorley Citizen)

MP backs graffiti bill

1:42pm Tuesday 7th August 2007 in News By Chris Gee

Chorley's MP has backed proposed legislation which would force those convicted of defacing property to clean up the damage.

Lindsay Hoyle this week put his support behind measures to combat graffiti by sponsoring the Criminal Justice (Graffiti) Bill.

The bill would make it compulsory for people caught creating graffiti to clean it up.

It encourages restorative justice where perpetrators would meet the victims whose property they have vandalised to apologise.

The Criminal Damage (Graffiti) Bill received its first reading unopposed in the House of Commons, but lack of parliamentary time could mean it fails to make it to the statute books.

Given this likelihood, amendments could be tabled to include similar measures in the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill.

Mr Hoyle said: "Graffiti is a billion-pound problem and I was pleased to sponsor the Private Members Bill which looks for a practical and effective solution.

"I hope that MPs will now be able to support amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to introduce these solutions "Graffiti is not just an eye-sore, but also a long-standing reminder of anti-social behaviour that has a profound effect on communities.

"Graffiti is ugly and unacceptable and by making the perpetrators clean up the mess I hope we can curb the incidence of graffiti in our local communities."

The legislation has also received support from the British Transport Police, the Restorative Justice Consortium and The Keep Britain Tidy campaign.