Writing on the wall for taggers

Tony Bicknell oversees installation of the Stormwall system. Photo / Kellie Blizard

Tagging is a property owner's nightmare, but for one Kiwi company, it has proved a boon.

GSS (Graffiti Security Systems) produces water-driven graffiti-prevention systems, using sensors that detect a tagger and spray water down the surface of the building and at the offender to stop the paint sticking.

Developed by company operations manager Tony Bicknell, the Stormwall technology is a world-first and has been taken up by schools around the country, as well as stadiums and retailers such as Supercheap Auto.

The company also developed a Stormrail system for Kiwirail to protect the Capital Connection train operating between Palmerston North and Wellington. It was commissioned in July and so far has been 100 per cent successful. GSS is now in talks with Kiwirail about further opportunities.

There has also been interest from the Greater Wellington Region Council and Auckland Transport. But Bicknell said he'd been surprised by the level of interest in the rail system from offshore. Train vandalism is a big problem overseas: Sydney spends $55 million a year on it and London twice that.

GSS was invited to an Ausrail show last month to showcase its products to the Australian rail industry and Bicknell said the response was good. Bicknell and his colleagues are going to Britain in February for talks with potential customers there.

The company has patents in New Zealand, Britain and Australia and a patent pending in the United States. Bicknell and his father developed the product 18 years ago in response to vandalism of their Mangere appliance shop. There is also a system that stops people urinating in doorways.