Graffiti - speak to parents or go to police?

[Macmoominmamma]

Your input please.

We live near a footbridge which has recently had some pretty obscene graffiti, mostly penis pictures, some words and the odd name.
Today, DP and I watched from our home while an approx 16 year old boy loitered on the bridge while primary school kids walked past him with their parents. We could see he was up to something and after a minute he took out a pen and wrote on the bridge. After he left we went to check and sure enough, giant penis picture and someone’s name. DS videoed him. He’s local to us and we know where he lives but don’t know him/ his family. They’ve moved in recently and this ties in with the upsurge of graffiti on the bridge.

So what, if anything to do? I think speak to parents and see what they say. DP says we should go straight to British Transport police.

YANBU to say speak to parents / British Transport Police or YABU do nothing?

Hmm if you knew the parents personally I’d go to them first. But as you don’t you have no idea how they will react.

I'd anonymously tip off local police.

I agree with DP. In my experience, badly behaved kids have badly behaved parents who don’t give a shit.

Police.

I’d go to the police, the parents will find out soon enough from them. Plus a visit from the police might knock some sense into them in a way the parents may not be able to.

What a dick head, why are males so obsessed with drawing penises

Police. Parents could be worse than him.

Absolutely no way would I speak to the parents.

You could go to the police.

Stop involving your kids by getting them to film, this is unfair on your ds.

Local community police if you are lucky enough to have them. Or non-emergency police And send the video.

That will do no good whatsoever.

I would report it to the local council and offer them the evidence you have. They will arrange removal and follow as required, including police involvement if appropriate.

Don't go to the parents. You will be putting yourself directly in the firing line because the next time it happens and they do get reported, guess who they are going to blame? You. Just hand the evidence you have to the transport police and let them deal with it, that way the family won't have a clue who informed them.

Police.

Thanks so much for your input. I should have mentioned that the boy in question saw us watching him and actually waved to us 😮in the window so there is no anonymity! And he knows where we live.

I take your point about DS and I’d agree and wouldn’t have involved him, but he rocked up and got his phone out as we were watching and discussing. Younger generation don’t hang around with getting proof!