A new trend of tagging on glass has become so common in Tauranga that a glass restorer has imported a special tool to deal with the problem.
Fraser Benton, who owns Diamond Fusion, said there was a trend towards taggers etching their initials on glass.
"It's starting to become more popular, it'sbecoming more noticeable.
"It's quite big overseas, starting in Auckland and working its way down.
"They're scratching their name into glass.
"Part of it's because spray paint's becoming harder to get hold of."
Mr Denton did not want to reveal what implements were used for the scratching in case it encouraged more of the vandalism.
A block of shops on Cameron Rd, between 10th Ave and 11th Ave, was hit by a tagger who etched the initials "SC" into glass at the front of several stores.
Among those targeted were Sierra, Industrial Footwear and Safety, Jamele and Naismith and Jones.
An image of male genitalia was also scratched into a window of the Adult World shop during the attack, which happened about three weeks ago.
Yesterday, Mr Benton worked on removing the scratches - at a cost of $250 for each tag. Some shops were hit twice and must now foot a bill of $500.
But the scratch removal tool means businesses can avoid buying an entire new glass pane, which could cost thousands of dollars.
Retailer Howard Jones, of Naismith and Jones, was left with a $500 bill thanks to the tagger.
It was expensive and an inconvenience, he said.
Gaylene Dovaston, of Industrial Footwear and Safety, said she had no idea who the culprit was or why they did it.
"We just don't know. Maybe he's just bored, maybe he's got nothing else to do.
"It's damaging other people's property. Graffiti is too, but you can't just paint over it on a window.
"Someone must have seen them do it. He did 12 windows."
Mrs Dovaston had also laid a complaint with police.
Tauranga City Council graffiti coordinator Jane Denton said etching in glass was not uncommon and was a criminal matter.
"They are tagging regardless of whether it's etching or spray cans or shoe polish or hair dye - it's still a form of vandalism."
