The council has had several complaints from residents

Police in Reading are teaming up with the council to compile a database of graffiti "tags", in order to identify those responsible.

The "tags" are names written on public walls, often with spray paint or wide felt-tip markers.

Police believe officers can recognise the artist by the tag, they are more likely to catch them - a technique which has worked elsewhere in the country.

The council is keen to crack down on graffiti after a set of complaints from residents.

They have brought in a company, Graffiti Removal Ltd, which says it advises a "zero-tolerance" policy when dealing with the problem.

"The biggest problem with graffiti historically is that it's so difficult to remove, but the biggest deterrent in our opinion is removal as quickly as possible," said company boss, Steve Poole.