Graffiti has lately become something of an art-form, with the prime example being Banksy, the mysterious artist whose work fetches eye-popping sums of money at auctions.

But that isn’t to say that anyone who picks up a spray-paint can is capable of emulating Banksy’s success – nor is every piece of graffiti art.

It might be an odd thing to say of a phenomenon that involves defacing buildings, but graffiti can be something to enjoy in its proper place. It is the last part of that statement, of course, which is the sticking point, but in an effort to showcase what can actually be quite stunning artistic creations, and encourage talents that might not otherwise get an outlet, many councils and organisations do provide “graffiti walls” for that exact purpose.

It’s when graffiti is scrawled across public buildings or, as highlighted in today’s Telegraph & Argus, train carriages, that it reverts to being a nuisance.

Those who regularly use our rail network suffer enough already, from cancellations and delays caused by vandalism to signals, to thefts of metal destined to be sold off for scrap from the rail infrastructure.

When graffiti is daubed on train carriages, it either causes those carriages to be taken out of service – heaping more misery on commuters and causing more expense for the train companies – or results in unsightly defaced rolling stock being used on the lines.

Those who have been before the courts charged with defacing trains have been told they face custodial sentences for their persistent and damaging actions. They may think this is a little harsh, but when the fine line between street art and vandalism is crossed so explicitly, then tough measures need to be taken.