Readers call to name kids (From Somerset County Gazette)

Readers call to name kids

1:06pm Wednesday 24th October 2001

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TWO weeks ago, the News Shopper printed photographs of 10 youngsters police wanted to question in connection with vandalism on local bus routes.

The response was phenomenal. Nearly 100 people contacted police to identify the faces.

Now officers have released six more pictures in the co-ordinated fight against vandalism.

CCTV cameras were first installed on 40 buses in south London and north Kent by the Metropolitan Police and bus company Stagecoach to improve safety on public transport.

The incidents occurred on buses travelling from Plumstead to Dartford and Greenhithe.

Each act of vandalism costs at least £200 to clean up. Some people are now too terrified to even travel on public transport.

A spokesman for north Kent police said: “We have already formally cautioned one youth as a result of information from members of the public in response to the pictures.

“And many youngsters in the last batch of pictures have come forward and identified themselves.”

They are co-operating with the police who now plan to continue with the campaign after many members of the public said they were encouraged by the action to put a stop to graffiti and vandalism.

Stagecoach CCTV manager James Henning said: “The more publicity we get, the greater the reduction in crime. I would like to thank the News Shopper for co-operating in our campaign to make our buses a safer place.”

Though the youngsters pictured may not have actually committed acts of vandalism or violence, police believe they will all have witnessed such crimes.

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