By Nicole Valicek
MORE than a dozen males in Hobsons Bay have been identified for their involvement in criminal damage and graffiti offences.
Some 13 males between the ages of 15 and 18 have been identified over the past two months for these offences in Hobsons Bay.
Police said a couple of the offenders have been charged for causing property damage more than once during this time and are currently on bail.
The areas being most affected are in the vicinity are transport hubs including Altona and Newport Railway Stations, Millers Rd underpass and shops and in and around Pier St. Hobsons Bay police Inspector Richard Paterson said the police strategy to target graffiti vandals in the community was getting results.
“It’s a combination of local police working closely with Hobsons Bay City Council, local schools and Protective Services Officers from the Transit Safety Division to identify trends of criminal damage and graffiti offences.”
This comes after the police launched a new strategy to target graffiti vandals in Hobsons Bay in May.
Hobsons Bay Council’s smart phone application Snap, Send, Solve asks resident to photograph graffiti which is then shared with police to help them identify tags, hotspots and offenders.
Insp Paterson said property damage and graffiti is a continuing issue in the Hobsons Bay area.
He asked that residents who have witnessed property damage or graffiti to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or their local police station.
“(This will) help us continue to identify these offenders.”
A concerned Altona resident said it was a concern that there was graffiti constantly scrawled on the backs of the fences of houses that face the railway line.
“It isn’t artistic, this is just straight-out vandalism and kids with nothing better to do than deface other people’s property.”
