THE net is closing in on a crew of graffiti artists responsible for daubing tags across the town - and Barnsley Council is offering a cash reward for information that leads to a prosecution.
Motifs depicting downbeat faces, along with ‘OSA’ and ‘SPOOK’ tags, have been appearing at multiple locations across the town in recent months which prompted the council to begin an investigation.
The painted face, which has been daubed on lamp posts, buildings and internet and telephone cabins, is thought to have been done by those from the One Step Ahead crew, while Spook is reportedly a single person’s work.
However, positive IDs for around a dozen people have been uncovered by the council, according to Paul Brannan, the local authority’s head of safer neighbourhood services.
Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesman for communities, said: “Graffiti is a horrible blight on our environment - it is criminal damage and unsightly.
“We’ve been doing our best to remove any tags as they appear, but this costs the council time and money that could be used elsewhere.
“As part of our #EverybodyThink campaign to tackle environmental crime and protect the environment, we’re offering a reward of £250 for information that could lead to a prosecution.
“In this case, we’re already gathering evidence and looking at a number of people who may be responsible. Any extra information about these particular tags or others appearing in Barnsley can be shared by emailing safer@barnsley.gov.uk or calling 101.”
Barnsley’s four policing hubs, which are based in the town centre, Kendray, Royston and Goldthorpe, are all involved with the clean-up project as the tags have appeared in each district.
Locations include Racecommon Road, Barnsley; West Green Way, Carlton; Keresforth Hill Road, Kingstone; High Street, Goldthorpe; Barnsley Road, Dodworth; Genn Lane, Ward Green; Pitt Street, Barnsley; Doncaster Road, Kendray; Robert Street, Cudworth and Royston Park.
Council teams have visited and removed some graffiti, although newer tags such as the ones on the bridge on West Green Way in Carlton have appeared in recent weeks.
Coun Malcolm Clements, who represents the Royston ward, said: “It’s been a constant battle and it’s about time someone was brought to justice for it. Their so-called ‘art’ is blighting communities and making multiple areas across the town appear untidy.
“It’s costing money to clean up but as soon as the council do that, another batch appears soon after.
“It’s frustrating but it’s an important issue that needs to be addressed.”
