E-Nose not only detects graffiti but sends a text message to authorities while the vandalism is taking place.

University of NSW School of Medical Sciences associate professor Graham Bell invented and trademarked the paint-sniffing technology in the hope it would bring an end to the defacing of buildings and transport in Australia.

"It takes an average of 17 minutes to deface the entire side of a railway carriage,'' he said. "That's plenty of time to detect the fumes, send a message and bring in security officers.''

A hidden sensor can detect the chemicals from spray cans up to 50 metres away. A text message is then automatically sent to the relevant security authorities.

Trials have been carried out at Miranda Scout hall, resulting in arrests on three occasions, and in Newcastle and Campbelltown.

Sutherland Shire Council is using the device along with an increased number of CCTV cameras as part of its crackdown on graffiti.

The council will soon provide 500 residents with free graffiti removal kits and will work with Department of Juvenile Justice-referred offenders in removing graffiti from property.

The council also wants to work with the Department of Corrective Services to have adult offenders remove graffiti through community service orders.

Graffiti prevention is co-ordinated in the shire through a vandalism prevention unit consisting of police, council representatives and others.

The council also does on-site audits of retailers of spray cans, holds school principals' forums and is co-operating with other government agencies to remove graffiti from state and federal-owned infrastructure.

The building works unit has paid contractors $22,875 so far this financial year to remove graffiti.

Sutherland Shire, already among the 10 Sydney's councils with the highest levels of reported graffiti, has now produced its own list of hot spots based on last year.