Graffiti stretching two-and-a-half miles has had to be cleaned up so far this year in the Southend borough.
A graffiti hotline took 256 calls in the first three months of the year resulting in council officers getting rid of the unwanted artwork.
Since June last year the graffiti team have removed six-and-a-half-miles of graffiti - mainly from Leigh which has become the biggest problem area with bridges, shelters and stations being targeted.
Leigh community police team is fighting back with covert operations and stop checks to clean up the area.
Sgt Jack Lawmon said: "I would like to see stronger action from the courts. We need a bigger stick to hit them with.
"They are causing serious damage - they scratch into windows which sometimes cost £2,000 to £3,000 to replace. When the walls are cleaned up the surface is often damaged.
"These kids like marking out their territory. Some of them are very talented but they need to be channelled in a more constructive way. They should be encouraged to sell pieces of work rather than spraying a wall."
Clean-up teams have been photographing graffiti and tags so evidence will be available if the culprit ends up in court.
The Wipe Out Graffiti hotline number is 01702 619852.
Published Friday April 9, 2004
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