Graffiti in the borough is to be targeted in a new drive by Hounslow Council to tackle the problem with tough action.

The council's Community Environment Team is drawing up a hit list of graffiti hotspots.

Vandals use a nickname or signature, known as a tag, to identify themselves and the team is recording which tags are appearing most frequently in a move to target and deter the most prolific offenders.

To help implement the scheme the council has formed a second graffiti removal team, which will work its way around the borough on a monthly rota.

For the first time information on graffiti tags will be recorded and passed onto the police to assist them in combating this crime.

Councillor Barbara Reid, the council's lead member for the environment, said: "Graffiti is a terrible blight that makes local people feel unhappy and unsafe.

"As part of our commitment to changing Hounslow for the better, we are determined to take tough action on the problem."

There has been a steady rise in the levels of graffiti in the borough over the last few years but the council says it is committed to cutting this drastically.

According to official figures 19 per cent of roads have an unacceptable level of graffiti. The aim is to reduce that to just five per cent by 2009.

Cllr Reid said: "The council is committed to reducing the levels of graffiti in the borough over the next three years.

"Mobilising our new graffiti removal team to target the borough's graffiti hotspots is the first step to achieving this goal."

A series of community action days are also being organised by Hounslow's Community Safety Partnership to clean up areas in the borough badly affected by anti-social behaviour.

In the first of these days later this month, people in Hanworth are being encouraged to take action.

Work will include getting rid of graffiti and rubbish and police officers will be removing untaxed, burnt out and abandoned vehicles.

But there will also be a fun side to the event with a barbecue, prizes for the hardest working and children's activities.

Kirti Sisodia, Head of Community Safety, said: "Hounslow Council and Hounslow Police work in partnership to make the borough's estates safer and cleaner places to live but we cannot do this without the support of the community.

"This first in a series of community action days is designed to get people involved and reinforce pride in the area they live."

The teams will be focusing on the area surrounding St George's Nursery in Park Road on Saturday, July 22, and the Oriel estate on Sunday, July 23.

To take part in either of the community action days or for more information call Inspector Dave Henfrey of Feltham Police on 07768 177422.

To report graffiti call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Any racist graffiti should be reported to the Graffiti Hotline on 020 8583 2620 and will be removed within one working day.

For general information and advice contact the Community Environment Team on 020 8583 5555 or email streetcare@hounslow.gov.uk.