The NZ Herald is carrying a story today confirming that the Government will go ahead with its ban on the sale of spray cans to persons under the age of 18. Additionally, taggers (if caught) will be penalised more harshly than before with fines and community work.

Whilst I welcome the initiative, I’m not convinced. Heavier penalties are all well and good but the chances of a tagger getting caught in the act are unlikely to improve and that means tagging will remain a relatively risk-free crime.

Criminals over 18 I expect will be welcoming the news – it should give them a nice new source of revenue.