Police say graffiti increases the fear of crime

Police and Crimestoppers are working with five councils in the county on the campaign, which gives money to informers if the suspect is charged.

Authorities say graffiti raises the fear of crime and costs thousands of pounds every year to remove.

A similar high-profile campaign in Nottingham was successful in cutting graffiti levels, police say.

Councils involved Bradford Calderdale Kirklees Leeds Wakefield

Det Con Kevin Mosley, from Crimestoppers, said: "Graffiti is an eyesore in the community and makes people think the area is suffering from high levels of crime, which isn't necessarily the case."

Each local authority has created posters of the most commonly seen graffiti tags, which are to be displayed in the worst-affected areas.

Mr Mosley also appealed for shop owners to think carefully about who they sell paint to.

It is illegal to sell spray paint to anyone under the age of 16.

Leeds City Council, which spends �250,000 a year cleaning up graffiti, said it was determined to crack down on the issue.

Councillor Ryk Downes said it was taxpayers money which "could be spent on a school".

Bradford Councillor Anne Hawkesworth described graffiti as a "blight on the environment".

"We are delighted to be involved in this new initiative which we are confident will deter such anti-social behaviour," she added.