Dunfermline Press | News | Inverkeithing graffiti vandals forced to clean up Glasgow bridge

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 4th December, 2008 15:40

Inverkeithing graffiti vandals forced to clean up Glasgow bridge

TWO teenage graffiti vandals from Inverkeithing have been scrubbing the slate clean by tidying up a railway bridge – in Glasgow.

The 19-year-olds were caught defacing a wall in the Fife town earlier this year and chose to spend three days painting over graffiti instead of a conviction.

Due to the nature of the crime, they were given the chance to take part in an innovative restorative justice scheme pioneered by Network Rail, British Transport Police and the organisation Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending (Sacro).

The pair went to Glasgow to carry out their clean-up job to protect their anonymity and they also acknowledged their disruptive behaviour, expressed regret and apologised for their actions.

Craig Millard, from Sacro, commented, “Again here we can see the advantages of restorative justice as opposed to punitive measures.

“Network Rail has had the chance to be heard and have a say in what they think is a fair resolution for this incident.

“The lads responsible have also had the chance to take responsibility for their actions and avoid a conviction.

“The creativity of the process has allowed those involved to move forward positively.”

Mark Henderson, community safety manager for Network Rail in Scotland, said railway crime cost £264 million last year and was a “massive drain” on society.

He added, “In Scotland alone, the railway has to employ the equivalent of six full-time members of staff to clean graffiti from the railway.

“Every year, dozens of young people are killed or injured accessing the tracks to spray graffiti and damage property.

“In many cases, restorative justice is not an option, we will simply ask British Transport Police to prosecute offenders.

“Graffiti and vandalism on the railway is regarded as a serious crime by the courts and frequently results in prison sentences.”

tommy jardine

(Unregistered User)

Dec 27 08 11:13

Our Ref: 1693

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i have observed an increase in graffiti and litter in the proximity of glasgow central station,the vandals are getting bolder and have reached the old eglinton street station site and the entrance to the low level system at dalmarnock,how un sightly this must be for visitors.

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