MACCLESFIELD police have warned graffiti vandals to beware – after two youths were caught by matching their public "tags" to symbols they practised in their school books.

The teens were collared by officers after photos of graffiti across Poynton were taken to the village’s high school.

Teachers compared the signs – emblazoned on sports equipment and other property – to sketches drawn on pupils’ work.

And the "schoolboy" error could hail the start of a new era in tackling taggers.

Inspector Gareth Woods hailed the success of community policing, and said: "This information exchange is consistent across Macclesfield. We hope to see more successes in town and across the region."

Officers in Poynton suspected youngsters were responsible for the damage, but a visit to the school gave them all the evidence they needed.

One student’s tags were almost identical to those seen in the community, and he was forced to admit the criminal damage.

The investigation began when PC Mark Pitts and PCSO Rob Massey, on patrol in Deva Playing Fields, spotted fresh paint on the new skateboard park.

A Cheshire Police spokesman added: "Knowing that young people often practice ‘tags’ on rough work jotters before using them on walls, fences and other property, officers asked Poynton High School if they could see those belonging to the youth and some of his friends.

"The clues were there. Before long another boy admitted being responsible for much of the graffiti damage."

One teenager, from a group gathered nearby, admitted the skate park tag but was not responsible for the spate across Poynton.

The two boys attended a "restorative justice" session where they met Poynton Town Councillors and were told about the costs of removing graffiti.

PC Mark Pitts said: "Both youths apologised and seemed genuinely remorseful, and agreed to take part in litter-picks."

Tim Webster, deputy headteacher at Poynton High, said they worked closely with PCSOs and added: "The vast majority of students support and respect this and we are pleased that the school has been able to help resolve this constructively."

PCSO Rob Massey added: "This is a great example of the community working together to solve a local issue."