Officer surprises graffiti tagger

A man who sprayed graffiti on a ramp at a skate park in Surrey was arrested by the person standing next to him, who was an off-duty police officer.

The 21-year-old, from Farnham, was unaware he had been spotted by the man as he created his tag at the town's park in Dogflud Way.

Sgt John-Paul Davis even managed to photograph the man as he "worked" and called for other officers to attend.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and bailed.

Surrey Police said a search of the man revealed paint pens and a book containing practice "tags" which were seized and will be compared to other graffiti in the Farnham area.

Sgt Davis said: "The arrest was made in front of around 40 other young people who were using the skate park at the time so I hope they get the message that police in Farnham will not tolerate such acts of vandalism to the town."