A GRAFFITI tagger has been banned from the borough after being caught on CCTV causing criminal damage in a Burnt Oak park.

Barnet Council camera operators spotted Donald Notice, of no fixed abode, sprawling the word “Subway” across the pavilion in Montrose Park on October 2.

They informed police who tracked the 43-year-old down across the park.

He was arrested and hauled up in front of Hendon Magistrates court on the same day where was found guilty of causing criminal damage.

Magistrates handed him a suspended sentence and a six-month exclusion from being anywhere in the borough of Barnet.

He faces being jailed if he is discovered within the borough boundaries during that time.

Officers from the council's anti-social behaviour team claim they have spotted the tag in several other locations in recent months, especially around the Colindale and Burnt Oak areas.

Superintendent Neil Seabridge, from Barnet Police said the arrest signalled the “excellent” partnership work they carry out with the authority.

He said: "On this occasion we have been able to act swiftly to get this man before a court and now banned from the borough of Barnet.

"The council's CCTV operators have helped us on a number of occasions to tackle all sorts of crimes, especially offences like graffiti and cash machine fraud, and have provided key evidence to prosecute criminals who have reduced the quality of life for residents of the borough.”

The arrest came just a week after an appeal for information on four other prolific taggers in the borough.

Councillor Matthew Offord, cabinet member for community safety and community engagement said they were committed to removing this type of vandalism from the borough.

He said: “This thoughtless type of criminal damage spoils the borough's parks and thoroughfares for the majority of law-abiding citizens and I am delighted that the magistrates took a dim view of his behaviour.

"I hope this will serve as a warning to other graffiti vandals out there who just see graffiti as harmless fun.

“Its not - it defaces public property, its expensive to remove and attracts other types of anti-social behaviour.”