What punishments should be given to those who spray graffiti?

[Loppylugs]

This subject has probably been discussed on here before, but at Reading on Wednesday I observed a SWR class 450 absolutely plastered in graffiti. As you may imagine it looked awful, but when a GWR 800 arrived in a not dissimilar state it made me wonder what penalties should be inflicted on the perpetrators.

Obviously, they should be made to clear up the mess or at best pay for the work involved, but any further suggestions ?

I have my own thoughts on what should happen to them, but sadly these are unprintable. Does anyone know of any previous convictions ?

 

[Crepello]

Similar experience at Penzance, several weeks ago: A GWR 802 arrived, head to toe graffiti over several coaches - looked utterly hideous. 25 years since I'd the pleasure of inhabiting the UK but reflected that in all my years on the rails, I'd never seen anything like it.

Back in the day, sets were pulled out of service while the vandalism was (quickly) taken care of - specifically to deny the criminals the pleasure of seeing their damage in public view. I presume that arrangement has changed?

And indeed, my own solution would solve the problem permanently, one perpetrator at a time - but I gather effective solutions are beyond the realm of approved discussions!

 

[Neptune]

Back in the day, sets were pulled out of service while the vandalism was (quickly) taken care of - specifically to deny the criminals the pleasure of seeing their damage in public view. I presume that arrangement has changed?

Never been sure when ‘back in the day’ actually is as nobody has ever been able to define a date to me, but in this day and age the rule of thumb is:-

A train with offensive graffiti (racist, homophobic, sexist etc…) is pulled from service immediately even if causing a cancellation.

A train with non offensive graffiti (random tagging etc…) is pulled from service at the earliest convenience where an alternative train can be sourced to replace it to avoid a cancellation.

 

[Magdalia]

Never been sure when ‘back in the day’ actually is as nobody has ever been able to define a date to me

When First Capital Connect ran the GN service they were very hot on this. Any train with graffiti overnight was one journey to Hornsey and cleaned before the evening peak.

The class 313s were cleaned so many times that the condition of the vinyls began to deteriorate.

Obviously, they should be made to clear up the mess or at best pay for the work involved, but any further suggestions ? I have my own thoughts on what should happen to them, but sadly these are unprintable. Does anyone know of any previous convictions ?

As with lots of crime, convictions and sentences are not a deterrent when the probability of getting caught is very low. Prevention through better security at stabling points is what matters.

 

[SynthD]

No point in threatening more when the news tells us the police are being told to cause less prison time. Try again in a decade or two. More if your ideas are unprintable.

In a speculative world where we can fund rehabilitative programs, send them to Leake St and other places where they can divert their creative energy where it’s wanted.

 

[wastedlife]

I'd suggest the solution to football hooliganism proposed by Mel Smith and Pamela Stephenson in this NTNOCN sketch could usefully be applied.

Football Hooliganism

 

[Old Yard Dog]

And the media should stop idolizing the likes of Banksy who just encourages graffiti vandals.

Wall art is only acceptable if it is painted with the permission of the property owner and doesn't violate planning regulations.

 

[vuzzeho]

I'd say the best solution to graffiti vandalism would be to divert the people who do it away, to express themselves artistically in a more legal and supported way (certain places have dedicated graffiti spots where it becomes part of the culture) and to just lock away the trains more effectively. Seems like it's a massive problem on some operators (ahem Thameslink) but not so much on others.

 

[D7666]

Singapore penalties ?

 

[43096]

And the media should stop idolizing the likes of Banksy who just encourages graffiti vandals.

Completely agree.

How about graffiti vandals being given a taste of their own medicine and people being allowed to spray their house and car with whatever they like?

 

[Mr. SW]

I always though a good idea would be to punish the perpetrators by not fining them or imprisoning them but through a more progressive method.

They should be made to present a five to ten minute lecture/Powerpoint presentation with a following question-and-answer session on the subject of "Why I needed to do that."

This will take place at a venue local to the crime in front of an invited audience consisting of the local MPs, local authority councillors, railway men, insurance assessors, police, court officials etc.

Also for 'artists' over the age of twenty one, a supplementary session on "Where do think your life is going?"

 

[Turtle]

I'd say the best solution to graffiti vandalism would be to divert the people who do it away, to express themselves artistically in a more legal and supported way (certain places have dedicated graffiti spots where it becomes part of the culture) and to just lock away the trains more effectively. Seems like it's a massive problem on some operators (ahem Thameslink) but not so much on others.

Wouldn't work. This form of vandalism has aspects of a cult, certainly for the older offenders. In some cases they travel the world to pursue their unsavoury hobby.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==

And the media should stop idolizing the likes of Banksy who just encourages graffiti vandals.

Wall art is only acceptable if it is painted with the permission of the property owner and doesn't violate planning regulations.

Strongly agree. Can't understand why this bloke is idolised.

 

[renegademaster]

I always though a good idea would be to punish the perpetrators by not fining them or imprisoning them but through a more progressive method.

They should be made to present a five to ten minute lecture/Powerpoint presentation with a following question-and-answer session on the subject of "Why I needed to do that."

This will take place at a venue local to the crime in front of an invited audience consisting of the local MPs, local authority councillors, railway men, insurance assessors, police, court officials etc.

Also for 'artists' over the age of twenty one, a supplementary session on "Where do think your life is going?"

They would love this publicity, in exchange for an even less of a slap on the wrist than they normally get

 

[PeterC]

And the media should stop idolizing the likes of Banksy who just encourages graffiti vandals.

Wall art is only acceptable if it is painted with the permission of the property owner and doesn't violate planning regulations.

It's nice to see that I am not alone on this topic.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

I would say removal of the hands. They won’t do it again.

 

[350401]

This may be a controversial idea, but I’d actually support a policy of pulling a train from service if it has any graffiti, even if it causes a cancellation. There will be (a lot of) short term pain, but when the vandals get the message that no train runs in service with graffiti, then they will have less incentive to do it.

I’ve noticed a real uptick in graffiti recently, including on the tube. Seeing a heavily tagged tube train is becoming quite common.

 

[Neptune]

This may be a controversial idea, but I’d actually support a policy of pulling a train from service if it has any graffiti, even if it causes a cancellation. There will be (a lot of) short term pain, but when the vandals get the message that no train runs in service with graffiti, then they will have less incentive to do it. I’ve noticed a real uptick in graffiti recently, including on the tube. Seeing a heavily tagged tube train is becoming quite common.

So you’d happily inconvenience potentially hundreds of people for what? They’d still do it regardless.

If you think it’s bad in the UK try continental Europe.

 

[D7666]

This may be a controversial idea, but I’d actually support a policy of pulling a train from service if it has any graffiti, even if it causes a cancellation. There will be (a lot of) short term pain, but when the vandals get the message that no train runs in service with graffiti, then they will have less incentive to do it. I’ve noticed a real uptick in graffiti recently, including on the tube. Seeing a heavily tagged tube train is becoming quite common.

How do you figure that out ?

This sort of person is out to be disruptive, they don't get the "short term pain" but everyone else does, it would encourage them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==

It's nice to see that I am not alone on this topic.

You are not alone. This Banksy business is out of control, it is not art, it is vandalism. When and if they are ever identified they should be charged on all counts so far.

 

[Mr. SW]

They would love this publicity, in exchange for an even less of a slap on the wrist than they normally get

I would respectfully suggest that bird would have already flown a long time before any court action and punishment with images being posted on Hex, Twister, Farcebook and Instagroin.

My alternative punishment of having the spray cans firmly inserted one by one into any orifice may not be entirely acceptable.

 

[Bevan Price]

IF they can be caught, I would sentence them to remove their criminal damage at their own expense, including purchase of any necessary paint solvents and cleaning materials.

 

[Mr. SW]

A toothbrush and a glass of cold water

 

[Neptune]

IF they can be caught, I would sentence them to remove their criminal damage at their own expense, including purchase of any necessary paint solvents and cleaning materials.

Trains aren’t walls though. It needs removing professionally so as not to damage the paint. Also this would need doing on a depot so are we going to the expense of having them all PTS trained too?

 

[Mollman]

Get them to spend a Sunday at Barrow, Preston or Manchester Victoria station dressed in Northern uniform, having to face the wrath of passengers who have had their next three trains cancelled!