Cracking Down on Criminal Damage

25/07/2006

With the School holidays now underway, CPS South Yorkshire is sending out the strong message that we will be supporting the campaign, led by the Doncaster Crime, Disorder and Reduction, Partnership, to reduce criminal damage in Doncaster.

Sue Steeples, CPS South Yorkshires anti-social behaviour specialist says:  We recognise the impact that crime such as graffiti, vandalism and low level arson have on people living in Doncaster.  I have recently visited Old Denaby and seen the effects that people setting fires to wheelie bins is having on this community.

At CPS we prosecute all cases in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.  The code includes the wording - a prosecution is likely to be needed if the offence, although not serious in itself, is widespread in the area it was committed; or a prosecution would have a significant and positive impact on maintaining community confidence.

Our lawyers in Doncaster are well aware of the affect criminal damage has on the community and we do not want people to think that crimes such as vandalism and graffiti will be treated as only minor offences.

-Ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. ENCAMS is the independent national charity behind the Keep Britain Tidy campaign and Blue Flag awards for clean beaches.  It also runs a programme Eco-schools which promotes long lasting changes to the school's environment and the community around it as well as a scheme for large land owners and managers called Cleaner Safer Greener Network
2. A copy of the Code for Crown Prosecutors can be downloaded from www.cps.gov.uk
3. For further information on CPS South Yorkshire please visit www.cps.gov.uk/south_yorkshire
4. Media enquiries to Clare Cocken, Communications Officer, CPS South Yorkshire, Tel: 0114 229 8600, Fax: 0114 229 8607, Email: clare.cocken@cps.gsi.gov.uk