A leading Southend Labour councillor has welcomed a range of new powers aimed at ridding communities of graffiti.

Reg Copley is a member for St Luke's Ward, one of the areas of the town which is frequently hit by vandalism and graffiti, as well as other anti-social behaviour problems.

The new powers include a ban on sales of aerosol paints to under-16s, new powers for local authorities like Southend to issue penalty notices for graffiti and flyposting, and extra powers for councils to remove graffiti from street furniture such as phone boxes.

Mr Copley said: "Preventing youngsters buying aerosols and the tough new powers for the police to issue penalty notices for vandalism and graffiti will make Southend a safer, cleaner place to live."

Published Wednesday April 14, 2004

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