Bounties were today being offered to trap Bradford's worst graffiti vandals.

A ground-breaking partnership between police and Bradford Council will target the main offenders and offer £500 rewards to anyone who helps bring them to book.

Vandals who mark territory by signing their 'tag' on buildings and other property will be highlighted in a poster campaign.

And the city's three most prolific 'taggers' will be the first targets. The scheme, managed by Crimestoppers, will offer the cash rewards for information leading to charges for criminal damage.

The graffiti problem in Bradford costs the Council an estimated £100,000 a year.

Damian Fisher, Bradford Council's principal waste management officer for street cleansing, said: "We will be putting out posters carrying the tags of the worst offenders and asking people if they recognise the tag."

Detective Constable Kevin Mosley, of Yorkshire and Humber Crimestoppers, said: "Graffiti is an eyesore in the community and makes people think the area is suffering from high levels of crime which isn't necessarily the case.

"This scheme gives out a clear warning to graffiti vandals that the eyes of the public will be watching them and we hope it will produce some excellent results."

QLM Superstore in Idle Road is a frequent target, according to store manager Nigel Brown.

He said: "Graffiti is just wilful destruction and I don't know what they get out of it.

"Our van was vandalised with graffiti two weeks ago and we are going to have to have it re-sprayed.

"It is just the cost and inconvenience of it all."

He supported the new scheme and hoped it would reduce vandalism in the area.

The Council will also back the scheme, called "Dob a tagger", by paying the first two rewards.

Mr Fisher said: "We are hoping the new scheme will act as a deterrent for would-be taggers because graffiti increases the fear of crime and brings neighbourhoods down.

"Once graffiti in an area starts it gets worse.

"There is a whole culture out there and people have their own territories.

"We want to crackdown on that to show there is zero-tolerance towards graffiti."

Shops selling artists' paint, permanent marker pens and spray paints are also being called on to help tackle the problem.

Det Con Mosley said: "If a youth comes into your shop to buy a can of car paint then ask yourself why - particularly if they don't even look old enough to drive."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for environment, said graffiti was a "blight" on the city.

"We are delighted to be involved in this new initiative which we are confident will deter such anti-social behaviour."

Leeds, Kirklees, Calderdale, and Wakefield councils also signed up to the scheme today. Each authority will also first identify and target the three most prolific graffiti vandals in their areas.

People should report information detailing names of vandals, where they get paints, and the locations they carry out the vandalism by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.