About us 

Operation Rebound

Operation Rebound is one of the five strands of Safer Streets, a Thames Valley Police public campaign to make it safer to live and socialise in Thames Valley.

This operation aims to tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

What is vandalism?

• Vandalism is where someone – without a lawful excuse – destroys or causes damage to something on purpose or recklessly. This includes damage to vehicles, dwellings, or other buildings. Vandalism includes religiously-aggravated vandalism and arson.

Thames Valley Police take a robust approach in tackling vandalism. This approach includes:

• Using high-visibility or undercover patrols to deter and catch would-be vandals.
• Working with local authority youth services, Pubwatch schemes and licensees to help to raise awareness of the consequences of getting a vandalism conviction.

Consequences of getting a vandalism conviction

If you are caught committing vandalism, you can:

• Get an £80 fixed penalty notice for minor graffiti damage.
• Get fined £500 if you damage property that will cost under £500 to repair.
• Receive a three-month prison sentence and a £2,500 fine if you damage property that costs under £5,000 to repair.
• Go to jail for six months and receive a £5,000 fine if you damage property that will cost more than £5,000 to repair.
• Be required to declare your conviction on job application forms.
• Be refused a travel visa application because you have a criminal record. There is also a risk that you could be refused entry to the country on arrival.

How to avoid becoming a vandalism victim

• Park your car in a garage or on a drive, if you have one.
• If you have property that is damaged, arrange for it to be repaired quickly. Vandalised property can attract people to add further damage.
• For graffiti removal, contact your local district council, unitary authority or parish council.
• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. If there isn’t one in your area, please consider starting a scheme.

How to report vandalism, arson and graffiti

• If you see someone damaging property, call 999.
• If the damage has already been done, report the crime on 101, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number.
• If you know that someone is responsible for vandalism but you don’t want to talk to police or give your name, please call Crimestoppers (opens new window) on 0800 555 111.