BASINGSTOKE council is to call up a new weapon in its battle against graffiti - cash.

Following the deployment of its high-powered anti-graffiti gun, which blasts unwanted images off walls, the council is planning to offer rewards for those who report graffiti-scrawlers.

During a debate on community safety at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, deputy council leader Rob Donnelly revealed: "We have this reward scheme coming out offering a reward of up to £500 for information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone for graffiti drawing.

"We have already had one person fined £1,500 plus 150 hours community service for graffiti and five other people have been questioned by police on this issue.

"We are hoping to operate a policy of zero tolerance on graffiti in Basingstoke. People identified as so-called 'tag' artists are not going to have free rein to despoil our community.

Our council staff have been working closely with the police on this.

"It is a question of getting people to step in and make decisions and address issues that are of concern to our community."