POLICE have teamed up with council officers in a bid to curb the sale of spray paint to underage people who are using them to daub graffiti on buildings in Chippenham.

Ian Whiteway, the anti-social behaviour reduction officer is working with Pc Andy Morley to educate Chippenham traders about their duties under new legislation.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 it is an offence for local retailers to sell aerosol paint to someone under the age of 16.

Anyone found guilty of breaching the act is liable to be convicted for breaking the law and could be fined up to £2,500.

Mr Whiteway said: "Graffiti is a common problem in our towns and villages. The damage can range in severity from one or two small tags, to other areas where the community is defaced by many different tags and images.

"There are many different views about graffiti. Some people accept it as urban art but most deplore it as mindless vandalism.

"However, if left unmanaged, the presence of graffiti gives the impression that nobody cares about the area, which in turn can encourage other types of anti-social behaviour."

Pc Morley said: "I have been working closely with Ian Whiteway since his appointment and we have been able to solve a series of incidents of criminal damage in the area in which spray paint was used to deface certain surfaces around the town.

"The signs of graffiti can bring down the appearance of an area and can also result in further acts of anti social behaviour and crime.

"We are committed to solving these issues and will be visiting shop-owners to advise and enforce the laws regulating the sell of spray paint.

"We will be dropping in on paint retailers and asking them to be more vigilant about whom they sell the paint to.

"The rise in paint graffiti has spread in Chippenham and we are determined to bring the sprayers to justice as well as getting them to remove their handiwork."

The pair worked together to solve a spate of graffiti in the London Road/Long Close area of Chippenham earlier this year. Members of the graffiti gang were made to clear up their own mess.

Any retailer unsure of their legal requirements in the selling of paint can contact Mr Whiteway on (01249) 706465.