Positive action taken against graffiti-spraying youths

Positive action has been taken against five youths who sprayed graffiti on a council-owned building.

The damage caused to The Forum car park in Blackhorse Way, Horsham, occurred on Sunday 2 April.

Enquiries including a CCTV trawl led to the suspects – aged between 14 and 15 and all from the local area – being identified. They each attended a voluntary interview and have since been referred to the Youth Offending Service.

From here on, they will attend various sessions aimed to improve their behaviour and will be issued with Community Resolutions in due course.

PC James Munden, of the Adur, Worthing and Horsham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I am delighted to provide this positive update to the community, which demonstrates that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. We hope these sessions will allow the individuals to learn from their mistakes and move on with their lives.

“The car parks in Horsham are subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which prohibits a number of activities including smoking, consuming drugs or alcohol, behaving antisocially, ball games and skating of any kind.

“Anyone caught committing offences or breaching the terms of the PSPO can expect to be dealt with appropriately.”

Anyone who witnesses a crime such as graffiti is urged to contact police. You can report it online or via 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

You can also find out how to protect your property from vandalism here.