 Councils will have greater powers to clean graffiti from public places |
Tough new powers to combat anti-social behaviour such as graffiti and noisy neighbours have come into force. On-the-spot �50 fines can now be issued by local councils to graffiti artists and people caught fly-posting, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
Shopkeepers face fines of up to �2,500 from Tuesday if they break a new ban on selling aerosol paints to under-16s.
And neighbours who are noisy at night can be fined �100 on-the-spot or have their audio equipment confiscated.
Councils also have more powers to tackle fly-tipping, ranging from �50 penalties to the ability to confiscate vehicles they believe are being used to dump rubbish illegally.
Home Office minister Hazel Blears said the moves would "send out a strong message that this kind of anti-social behaviour will be tackled, not tolerated".
New police-style powers have been awarded to private security guards who have been accredited by chief constables.
Anyone they catch "causing alarm, harassment and distress" or throwing fireworks can be handed an �80 ticket.
They will also issue �40 fines for trespassing on the railway, throwing stones at trains and buying alcohol for people under 18.
 | GRAFFITI CLEAN-UP PILOT AREAS Barnsley Bristol Cambridge Dartford Doncaster Epping Forest Kirklees London boroughs of Merton and Westminster Northampton Southampton Wansbeck |
Environmental health officers will be able to close noisy pubs and clubs, as well as fining noisy neighbours.
Pilots start in 12 areas from Tuesday allowing councils to clean graffiti from street furniture like phone boxes more easily.
Ms Blears said: "Graffiti is criminal damage and an eyesore which blights communities.
"It affects people's quality of life, increases fear of crime and reduces pride in a community.
"It also costs us millions of pounds each year to clean up - money which could be better spent on other valuable services."
Thousands of incidents of criminal damage and vandalism occur each day in the UK, costing an estimated �2.7m a day and �667m a year to deal with.
Schemes already underway in the UK include the Home Office-backed "Name that Tag" campaign in London, Liverpool and Manchester, which offers a �500 reward for informing on graffiti artists.
Measures to strengthen Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have also been introduced under the Act.
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Graffiti is criminal damage and an eyesore which blights communities 
