Police get tough on criminal damage in Plymouth City Centre
A man in Plymouth has been charged with three counts of criminal damage and has been ordered to pay compensation totalling £2,800 to the victims involved.
After listening to concerns from the community and local business owners, an investigation was conducted into a series of graffiti across the Stonehouse area, where officers identified a number of victims who had been impacted by the graffiti.
“We knew how much of a negative impact the graffiti was having on the environment and people in the local neighbourhood,” said Police Sergeant Clare Moore, who heads up the neighbourhood support team.
“When speaking to the community during our house-to-house visits, it was made clear to us that if our officers hadn’t visited homes and businesses, people wouldn’t have reported information about the graffiti to us for a number of reasons. So being visible really helped us to build the public’s trust and confidence in the police. This positive result wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the help from our local community - I hope this demonstrates that we are committed to listening to our communities and acting on the information we are given to pursue people causing harm in our city.”
The Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) who led the investigation, work closely across communities in Plymouth to supporting neighbourhood police teams. NST police officers work in a different way to those who respond to emergency 999 calls and 101 reports; this team are called in to help solve short and longer term problems affecting whole communities. Their role aims to provide an increased presence in neighbourhoods as a reassurance to local communities and to deter crime.
The individual was charged on Thursday 17 October for three criminal damage offences to property valued under £5,000. To report vandalism and graffiti, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website to report: Report vandalism or graffiti | Devon & Cornwall Police. You can also report by calling 101.
Information can also be passed completely anonymously to Crimestoppers UK, just call 0800 555111 or visit their website.
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