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Chiswick
Police blitz local graffiti gang
Six arrests made as police look to end
problems of graffiti and disorder in the Stamford Brook area
Over
the past 3 years there have been instances of misbehaviour by youths
in the vicinity of Prebend Gardens, Welstead Way, Wilson Walk and
Stamford Brook, Chiswick W4. Offences alleged have included harassment,
theft, criminal damage and the unlawful possession of drugs. The
steps taken by police, in particular the sector team under the direction
of Inspector Michael Nicholls, have been very successful and have
been appreciated by the local community and Notting Hill Housing
Association.
However,
during the past week, the Chiswick Community Team had received intelligence
that groups of youths were again beginning to target the area and
causing much concern to the local community. As a result of this,
officers were specifically deployed to the area.
At
about 9pm on Tuesday 21st January 2003, police officers saw a group
of 12 youths but upon seeing the officers the youths ran off towards
Stamford Brook. However, the group were cut off by police, who managed
to contain them, long enough for other police officers to join them,
including officers from British Transport Police (BTP). During the
chase the youths were seen to be disposing of marker pens and cans
of spray paint.
The
youths continued to act aggressively towards the officers. Six of
the youths were arrested for causing criminal damage (graffiti)
and possessing articles with intent to cause criminal damage. Furthermore,
one of the six was also subsequently arrested for stealing cash
from railway ticket machines, his actions having been recorded on
CCTV.
All
six youths have been bailed to return to the police station on 27th
February 2003.
Graffiti
in Chiswick is an issue that has and still receives much attention
from Chiswick police. Chiswick Sector, the BTP, together with the
police and councils from boroughs in south west London are all members
of S.W.A.A.G (South West Action Against Graffiti), a group whose
purpose is to co-ordinate action, share ideas and encourage positive
action against graffiti vandals. As a result of this initiative,
BTP are now prepared to finance the cost of matching seized spray
paints etc with evidence of graffiti on their premises which will
substantially increase our ability to prosecute offenders.
Inspector
Nicholls said of the operation, "Amongst those stopped and
searched but not arrested were several prominent offenders from
the Chiswick/Hammersmith area. These youths have also been involved
in robberies and the actions of the above officers will have an
impact on how the youths behave and where they operate in the future."
January
24, 2003
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