Wednesday, 20 Dec 2006 13:38
Railway networks are a target for graffiti
Police officers have today been embarking on a major blitz of graffiti artists working on the British transport network.
As part of a Christmas crackdown, codenamed Operation Silverback, officers from the British Transport police (BTP) have been out in force and have made 23 arrests so far.
In the north-west of England, an 18-year-old man was this morning arrested on suspicion of graffiti offences committed between March 2005 and August 2006 in the Manchester, Wigan, Buxton and Macclesfield areas.
Ten other arrests were made in Scotland, six in the Wales and western area, four in London and two in the north-east.
Police say that the festive period often sees a surge in graffiti attacks on public transport, with 31 recorded across the country on Christmas Day alone last year.
Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day last year, 63 attacks were recorded in total - 43 more than on the equivalent days in November.
Graffiti is said to account for six per cent of all reported crime on Britain's railways.
"We are pleased with the way the operation is going so far," the BTP's Detective Superintendent Ashley Croft said.
"Graffiti is a serious crime and over 100 officers have been involved in this operation so far."
The BTP say that the arrest phase of the operation will be followed by visible and covert police patrols during the holiday season.