The acting head of Miranda local area command, Jenny Hayes, said this week she intended to give the problem a higher priority and approach it with more intelligence-based policing.

"We will be conducting covert operations of hot spots and focusing a few more resources, in police and time, into those areas,'' Acting Superintendent Hayes said.

"The aim is to look at specific people whom we suspect are doing these crimes rather than wandering around looking for a needle in a haystack.''

Ms Hayes, who took up her post last week, is filling in for Superintendent Mark Hiron, who is on extended sick leave.

She said the amount of graffiti in the area was "more obvious'' to her than had been the case during her previous work in the City and Kings Cross.

Miranda MP Barry Collier said the Government had amended the Young Offenders Regulation from July 31 to counter the graffiti problem.

Young graffiti vandals could be ordered to clean up their mess, pay compensation to victims or undertake a training program.

Mr Collier said Office of Fair Trading staff were carrying out "blitzes'' to ensure retailers were complying with the new laws governing the sale of spray cans.

"The Government has prohibited the sale of spray paint to under-18s, imposed fines of $2200 and six-month jail terms and established the Anti-Graffiti Action team,'' he said.

To provide information that might help identify graffiti vandals phone Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000, or the Police Assistance Line, 131 444.

Both are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Is graffiti a problem?