Spray-paint gangs 'feeding ground' for bikies

Graffiti offenders are causing $20 million damage a year and becoming ideal recruits for 'motorcycle gangs' looking for drug sellers, head of the SA police Graffiti Intelligence Unit says.

Senior Constable Greg Mason told a Graffiti Management Forum at Marion Cultural Centre on Friday zero tolerance was the best response to the crime which had become an increasing problem in the past three years.

"Graffiti culture promotes gang activity and anti-social behaviour, which then affects residents who become scared to leave their homes at night," Sen-Constable Mason said.

"The gangs become a feeding ground for MCGs (motor cycle gangs) to recruit drug peddlers, so it's more than just a graffiti problem."

Sen-Constable Mason said police actions to cut graffiti crime included:

ON-the-spot fines for minor offences to reduce the impact of prosecutions on the court system. Police have prepared a discussion paper on the proposal.

CLOSING legal walls - where graffiti writers are allowed to carry out their activities without penalty. Legal walls had caused the problem to spread beyond the allowed areas.

PROMOTING zero tolerance in schools. A project at Blackwood High School resulted in the area becoming graffiti-free and a reduction in anti-social behaviour including bullying, knife-carrying, and gang activity.

STRONGER police presence in problem areas.

The forum, organised by the City of Marion, KESAB and the Office of the Southern Suburbs heard presentations from interstate experts and local groups, including demonstrations of anti-graffiti technology.