Etching epidemic: New form of tagging hits Christchurch

NZ Police

ETCH A SKETCH: A new form of tagging, window etching, is costing businesses in Christchurch thousands of dollars worth of damage.

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Police in Christchurch say a new form of vandalism, window etching, is costing thousands of dollars worth of damage. 

Christchurch community constable David Woodbury said window etching was far more costly to fix then other types of tagging and was causing great concern to local business owners.

"We have had a spate of window etching in the Lincoln Rd and Moorhouse Ave areas in the last couple of weeks, particularly between August 1 and 4.

"I would estimate that the damage in the Moorhouse Ave/ Lincoln Road area in the past few weeks would be in excess of $50,000."
 
Constable Woodbury said offences were almost always happening in the evening or early hours of the morning.

"This type of crime is also happening in most other parts of the city, and needs to be stopped"

The etches included the words RAW, WAR, MAKS and KO, with the R being
back to front in some cases.

Police have photographs of an offender etching WAR onto a window in Addington and are keen to identify that person.

Anyone with information on the person pictured is asked to contact Constable Dave Woodbury on 03 3632561.

- © Fairfax NZ News