POLICE are on the hunt for graffiti vandals who caused thousands of dollars worth of damage during a “tagging” spree in Frankston.
Investigators from Frankston’s graffiti taskforce, Operation Canned, are appealing to the public to help identify the vandals after a business and sports facility were sprayed with multiple tags in two separate incidents last month.
Operation Canned investigator First Constable Catherine Mussared, who is based at Carrum Downs police station, said the first incident occurred at building on McMahons Rd between 9pm on 2 June and 6am on 3 June.
A sports ground on Hillcrest Rd was hit ten days later, with numerous tags appearing sometime between 9pm on 13 June and 9am on 14 June.
Green and silver paint was used to write ‘PK’, ‘BUSTA’ and ‘PAKS’ on sports facilities, buildings and signs.
She said police were “particularly keen” to know if the tags represented a local gang known as PFK (Playing For Keeps).
First Constable Mussared said police were taking a proactive approach in trying to identify graffiti vandals, such as by monitoring specific tags and gang activities.
And in an effort to encourage help from members of the public, police are offering cash rewards of up to $500 as part of a Crime Stoppers ‘dob in a tagger’ campaign.
She said the latest police operation has successfully identified 46 offenders, layed 209 charges and executed 25 warrants in Frankston and Carrum Downs since February.
Anyone with information about vandals active in the community is urged to report confidentially online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
