A Gravesend man has been slapped with a three-year anti-social behaviour order for causing thousands of pounds of damage through graffiti.

Jake Devenney, 18, was given the ASBO at Dartford Magistrates Court on Monday, February 9.

It prevents him from carrying any spray paint or any type of permanent marker pen in a public place.

The court heard that Devenney, of York Road, Gravesend, had caused “substantial” damage to a number of walls and property in and around Gravesend town centre by spraying and painting large amounts of graffiti.

Chief Inspector Philip Painter, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in north Kent, said: "Graffiti is a form of criminal damage which impacts on peoples’ quality of life. It increases fear of crime and profoundly affects the way people feel about the area in which they live and work.

"Left unchecked, it contributes to a spiral of decline leading to other types of anti-social behaviour and low-level criminal offending."

Jake Devenney’s ASBO is the 57th to have been imposed in north Kent since December 2001.

Can you help?

People who see Jake Devenney breaching the terms of his ASBO are asked to contact officers at North Kent Police Station on 01474 366463 or a member of their neighbourhood policing team. Information can also be left, anonymously, by calling Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.