FARNHAM police officers have been rolling up their sleeves and helping out Waverley Borough Council in a major graffiti clean-up operation around town this week. A team from Waverley has been out with Farnham Police Community Support Officer Teresa Mathews and Neighbourhood Specialist Officer Pc Chris Skillicorn-Aston in a bid to eradicate graffiti from Gostrey Meadow and the town centre. PCSO Matthews explained: "We have been hit quite badly in the town over the last few weeks and we are carrying out this clean-up operation to demonstrate our commitment to the local community to getting rid of the graffiti and improving the appearance of the local area." She went on to say that police are also targeting the offenders responsible for the graffiti, one of whom was cautioned this week after being caught red handed in the middle of a graffiti session by a police officer. "The offender has been linked to a few taggings around the town and we also have information regarding other possible offenders, which is currently being followed up." The clean-up is part of an ongoing initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Gostrey Meadow area, which included the dispersal of more than 50 youngsters during the evening of February 15. The incident, reported by The Herald at the time, resulted in a crowd of young revellers being moved on by the police, including one 15-year-old boy who was found drunk and urinating in a bus shelter. A number of youths who had come to the attention of the police that evening received a home visit from officers and were served with anti-social behaviour step letters. Waverley Neighbourhood Inspector Pam Jessopp said: "There has been an increase in recent weeks of anti-social behaviour in Gostrey Meadow and the immediate vicinity. While we have no issue with many of the young people using the open public spaces in Farnham there appears to be a core group who are causing anti-social behaviour." She sought to reassure the public that the police are "determined" to tackle the issue of youth disorder and nuisance using a number of different tactics, including carrying out extra patrols. She also urged parents to play their part by asking children what their intentions are when going out and if they are returning home under the influence of alcohol, to challenge them as to where they obtained it. "Surrey Police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will make the most of tough measures to tackle it head-on. "However, we can only do this with the help of the local community, particularly the parents of the young people responsible for it, and by working with our partner agencies to come up with long- term, sustainable solutions."
