Police Minister Judy Spence today congratulated the Queensland Police Service’s Railway Squad on one of their most successful anti-graffiti operations to date. Ms Spence told State Parliament that hundreds of hours of covert police work along the City Train network resulted in the recent arrest of seven people on 1,185 charges of wilful damage.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Police Minister Judy Spence today congratulated the Queensland Police Service’s Railway Squad on one of their most successful anti-graffiti operations to date.
Ms Spence told State Parliament that hundreds of hours of covert police work along the City Train network resulted in the recent arrest of seven people on 1,185 charges of wilful damage.
“This is one of the largest graffiti arrests of its kind in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“Operation Throw Up was aimed at a specific graffiti crew which police believed were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars damage to rolling stock and rail stations, particularly along the Ipswich line.
“Police used a number of covert methods during the 10-week operation, which ran between November 2006 and January this year.
“Plain clothes police carried out day and night surveillance along the rail network, acting on tip-offs from informants and other intelligence.
“The operation involved hundreds of police hours and a lot of leg work, but it has paid off.”
Ms Spence said graffiti was not a victimless crime and costs the community millions of dollars each year.
“It also costs offenders – anyone caught graffiting along the rail network, or any other public space, can face significant fines and up to five years jail,” Ms Spence said.
“If the graffiti is obscene or indecent, then offenders can face up to seven years jail.
“Spray paint is often the weapon of choice for vandals and at the September election the Beattie Government made a commitment to introduce laws to ban spray paint cans to people under the age of 18 and we have done this.
“These laws will take effect in July following an education campaign to inform the community, businesses and their staff of the changes.
“Under the new laws, anyone caught selling spray paint to anyone under 18 will be subject to an escalating penalty scheme, with a maximum fine of up to $31,500 for a third offence.”
Ms Spence said the Railway Squad’s 54 plain clothes and uniform police was making south-east Queensland railways safer by cracking down on anti-social behaviour.
“Last year, the squad conducted 14 special operations and 97 action plans to target good order offences, graffiti, car thefts and thefts from ticket vending machines,” Ms Spence said.
Media contact – Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491
This story was released on 2007-03-15. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.