Seven youths were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage during on-going work to tackle graffiti in Thetford town centre, police said today.

Seven youths were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage during on-going work to tackle graffiti in Thetford town centre, police said today.

The town's safer neighbourhood team (SNT) has been working with Breckland Council, local business owners and other organisations to identify and deal with the culprits.

The arrests were made during one week last month. Three youths received an official police caution, one is currently on police bail pending further enquiries and the remaining three are due to be dealt with this week. The youths will be expected to take part in a restorative justice scheme and work free to help clean up the town.

Work being carried out by Thetford SNT to tackle graffiti includes working with schools and using graffiti “tags” to identify and deal with offenders, collation of a database of graffiti to help identify offenders, and collaboration with local businesses selling spray paint to rigidly enforce the rules prohibiting its sale to under 16-year-olds.

Team member PC Keith Kenny said: “The Safer Neighbourhoods Team has made significant progress in tackling graffiti in Thetford and this will continue.

“Graffiti is unsightly and can cost a considerable amount of money to clean up. The message to those showing this kind of disrespect to other people's property is that it is a criminal offence and we will continue to actively pursue suspects using all the methods available to us.”

Anyone with any information regarding graffiti is asked to contact PC Kenny at SNT at Thetford Police Station on 0845 456 4567 or by e-mail at SNTThetford@norfolk.pnn.police.uk