POLICE are hoping a cash incentive will get youngsters to identify the offenders spraying graffiti ‘tags’ throughout Halesowen.

The amount of daubings on shops, fences, road signs and walls shot up over the Summer and the Halesowen South Neighbourhood Policing Team are hoping the ‘name that tag’ scheme will combat the rise.

Officers will visit schools and colleges to talk to students, urging them to pass on any information about the grafffiti tags.

Police logging and photographing tags, seen as a badge of honour amongst graffiti artists, which will be kept on record and used when offenders are identified.

And a wall of shame has been created on Facebook so the public can also see the graffiti tags.

Sergeant Wendy Tyler from the Halesowen South neighbourhood team said: “The problem of graffiti is often raised at community meetings as a concern for residents so our team is working hard to catch the offenders.

“Graffiti in the area has increased in recent months and not only is it unsightly, it is illegal and increases people’s fear of crime. It gives the impression of high crime in an area, which is not always the case.

PCSO Craig Priest from the neighbourhood team added; “Removing the ‘tags’ also takes time and money which would be better spent elsewhere.

“We have however, been working with the Probation Service who can assist who will be supplying a team of young people to help us clean the graffiti ‘tags’ from around Halesowen subways.”

Residents of all ages are urged to report any information they may have about who is responsible for this graffiti to call Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and a cash reward is avaialble.