Written question asked by Brian Jenkins (Labour) on Thursday, 6 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 May 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 May 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action the Department is taking in assisting the police to enforce the ban on sales of aerosol paints to under-16s.

Answer: Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Department is taking in assisting the police to enforce the ban on sales of aerosol paints to under-16s. [172497] Ms Blears: We are in discussion with relevant stakeholders as to what further measures might be necessary to ensure the effective enforcement of these provisions. The Together Action Line--0870 220 2000--is also available to practitioners throughout England and Wales to provide help and support in tackling anti- social behaviour. This includes police officers with queries on the aerosol paint ban. Throughout March we ran a series of Together Academies across the country to help professionals develop best practice in addressing all forms of anti-social behaviour. These new powers are just one part of measures to tackle graffiti through our Together campaign on anti- social behaviour. For example, 12 pilot local authorities are testing new powers to clean graffiti from street furniture and public transport property. In addition our "name that tag" campaign, encouraging the public to report "taggers" sends a clear message to graffiti vandals that we will deal with the problem.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 172497; 421 c851W;421 c851-2W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Children Aerosols Enforcement Graffiti Police Paint Sales Regulation
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk