TV appearance led to tagger's conviction

Tagging is an urban problem of epidemic proportions.

A covert surveillance operation by the Auckland City Council has led to the conviction of a Mt Roskill man for criminal damage.

The 18-year-old was arrested after photographic evidence of him tagging a property in Hillsborough was displayed on the television programme Police 10-7 in early June.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage in the Auckland District Court yesterday and was ordered to pay $235 reparation and sentenced to 100 hours community service.

The conviction follows a crackdown on tagging by the Auckland City Council, who adopted a zero tolerance policy on graffiti vandalism in October 2000.

Community services committee chairperson, Councillor Paul Goldsmith said Auckland City faces a plague of graffiti vandalism and the best way to stop young people offending is to hold them fully accountable for their actions.

"The sentence given for this incident shows that the courts are starting to treat graffiti vandalism offending seriously," he said.

Retailers Association spokesperson Barry Hellberg said retailers would be pleased that action is being taken by the courts to deal with graffiti.

Recent anti-tagging legislation has caused debate as sweeping measures to tackle graffiti vandalism have included a ban on the sale of spray cans to under 18-year-olds and offences for tagging under the Summary Offences Act.

Parliament last night passed The Summary Offences (Tagging and Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Bill by a big majority.

The bill creates a specific offence of tagging and raises the maximum fine for tagging from $200 to $2000 while banning the sale of spray cans to people under 18.

The Auckland City Council's zero-tolerance to graffiti vandalism programme has helped apprehend more than 500 people and Mr Goldsmith said about 600 volunteers are currently working in partnership with the Auckland City Council to keep their communities graffiti-free.

He reminded the public to call 0800 STOP TAGS (0800 7867 8247) with any information on graffiti vandalism. The trial number will run until the end of this month.

- NZHERALD STAFF