Kent Police are to launch a specialised operation to target graffiti and criminal damage.

Co-ordinated by North Kent’s police neighbourhood task team, the initiative will begin today, with extra patrols and resources in the Perry Street area of Gravesend.

The scheme will target damage hotspots and repeat offenders, as well as offering advice and reassurance to victims.

Police say that 91 counts of criminal damage were reported in the targeted region between September 2008 and January this year.

Police are concerned with finding those responsible and are appealing to parents to check if their children are in possession of spray cans and to be alert to them arriving home with paint or ink on their hands.

Leader of the North Kent task force, Sergeant Richard Bushell, said: “Tackling the recent increase in criminal damage in the Perry Street area has been identified as a priority by residents and businesses, so we will take action to resolve the problem.”

Anyone with related information should contact Gravesham North West Neighbourhood Policing team on 01474 366 368 or email gravesham.neighbourhood@kent.pnn.police.uk.