Maidenhead & Windsor

A 14-year-old boy from Maidenhead has been handed an official reprimand by police, working as part of Operation Rebound, after admitting to 18 counts of criminal damage.

The Maidenhead youngster committed the offences – 16 of which occurred in Maidenhead – from around April this year through until August. The other offences occurred in Windsor and Reading.

He even targeted the same address on four separate occasions, using spray paint to vandalise the walls of a property as well as fencing.

The boy admitted a number of the offences while being interviewed by police in connection with other incidents.

He subsequently was subject to the restorative justice process – facing up to the effects of his crimes - and then issued with a reprimand.

Sgt Matt Gray, of the community safety team at Maidenhead, said: “Contrary to popular belief, a reprimand is not a soft option as it is a discloseable criminal record for a minimum of five years.

“This can have serious consequences for future applications for college or employment opportunities, including part-time summer job applications which can require reprimands to be disclosed.

“Some foreign countries now require disclosure when applying for visas, thus also restricting opportunities for foreign travel.”

A reprimand would be followed by a final warning if the youth was to offend again. Then, if any further offences followed, a charge and court appearance would be the probable outcome.

A vital element of the investigations in this case was the multi-agency work with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s anti-social behaviour unit.

The team has developed a graffiti database that stores details of graffiti offences throughout the borough. Photographs are obtained from the police, council officers, community wardens and residents. Evidence from the database will be used in any investigations and may be given as evidence.

Carol-Anne Matic, the Royal Borough’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, said: “This is an excellent example of successful partnership working between the council, the police and residents and just shows what can be achieved when we work together”.

PC Stephen Wilkinson, Maidenhead officer in the case, said: “The fact that this prolific young offender has been given a reprimand will add to the deterrent for others considering committing similar offences – it shows that people will be caught and dealt with in the appropriate manner.

“This outcome is of great benefit to the community and shows that the police will not tolerate such behaviour. The public, in the vast majority of cases, do not like seeing graffiti spoil their environment.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Maidenhead