A surge in graffiti vandalism in the past six months prompted Port Stephens police, with assistance from other stakeholders, to launch Operation Eraser.

The operation will look to catch the offenders behind the surge in graffiti being plastered across the peninsula, particularly in Nelson Bay and Anna Bay.

More common tags being sprayed on property include "Sops", "SCK" and "Neps", all of which adorn the walls of the Port Stephens PCYC in Nelson Bay.

Club manager Matt Brealey showed the Examiner the extent of the vandalism, even where staff have had to crudely paint over obscenities sprayed on the brick walls towards the front of the building.

"It has escalated in the past six months," Mr Brealey said.

"Three quarters of the building has been hit by tagging.

"Enough is enough."

Mr Brealey said he was looking at adding further security to the PCYC club building, including spotlights, CCTV cameras and fences to the rear of the building.

Quotes to install all those security measures, plus the cost to repaint the entire building, comes in around $60,000.

But it wouldn't be effective without taggers being caught and taught graffiti is a crime, which is where the public can help.

Port Stephens Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector George Radmore said the public's assistance in reporting seeing anyone in the process of tagging property, or hard information on who was behind the vandalism, was vital.

Tips can be reported on the Police Assistance Line, 131 444, or Raymond Terrace Police Station on 4983 7599.