Kingston pair to face Hobart Magistrates Court on multiple graffiti charges

Two alleged graffiti vandals have been arrested over a three month spree in the Kingston and Blackmans Bay areas.

Kingborough Council has been forced to increase its budget for graffiti cleaning from $5000 to $30,000. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TWO alleged vandals have been arrested over a three month graffiti spree in the Kingston and Blackmans Bay areas.

The Kingston pair, aged 23 and 21, were charged on Monday after police received numerous reports of graffiti and tagging since December.

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A 21-year-old man has been charged with five counts of mark graffiti and was bailed to face Hobart Magistrates Court on April 29.

A 23-year-old man was released on summons facing multiple graffiti charges.

Kingston Senior Constable Lucy Dawson said marking graffiti in a public place was an offence.

Kingborough Deputy Mayor Jo Westwood with graffiti on Beach Rd, Kingston. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“Extensive time and cost [is] involved with the rehabilitation of the affected property,” she said.

So far this financial year Kingborough Council has spent almost $10,000 removing graffiti from council-owned infrastructure — up from $1700 in 2017-18.

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Earlier this month the council voted unanimously to increase the money allocated to removing graffiti from $5000 to $30,000.

Deputy Mayor Jo Westwood said it was very disappointing council needed to use ratepayers’ money to remove graffiti.

“Graffiti is vandalism, not art,” she said.

“It costs time and money to remove graffiti and businesses are frustrated and annoyed.”

Anyone with information in relation to the recent graffiti and tags marked in the Kingston area is urged contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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