Writing on the wall for graffiti in Wolverhampton
Released: 20 June 2007
Wolverhampton City Council’s graffiti busting machine has cleaned up more than 500 areas blighted by the problem since Easter.
The high-tech equipment has been tackling affected areas as part of a 26-month programme of intensive cleaning, anti-graffiti treatment and enforcement, in a co-ordinated approach by two sections of the authority - the Environmental Services division and Street Scene services.
Graffiti is removed with water at high pressure from council buildings, bus stops, shops, garage doors, garden walls and subways using the machine which was purchased earlier this year.
Between April and the end of June, a total of 539 areas were cleaned-up, improving the speed in response and removal of graffiti in Wolverhampton.
Councillor Pat Byrne, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Graffiti is a blight on the city, making neighbourhoods look dirty, dangerous and unpleasant to live in.
“This can then lead to other problems such as fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and even criminal activity which often follow once an area has been plagued by graffiti.
“Until the start of the 26-month programme in February, graffiti had been appearing faster than we were able to clean it up, but now we are able to remove graffiti at a rapid pace to improve neighbourhoods, raise people’s perceptions of the city and enhance the quality of life for residents. The new machine has proved to be a very worthwhile investment.
“I would like to thank the staff who have worked to clean up so many areas and I would urge members of the public to report any instances of graffiti in public places around the city, so that the council can continue with this great work.”
Operated by a team of two, the machine is used to focus on the worst affected areas in the city, cleaning graffiti, fly-posting and chewing gum as it goes. Local neighbourhood partnerships in the city have played a significant role in helping to identify the graffiti hot-spots.
Priority is given to racist or offensive graffiti which is removed as quickly as possible.
Where appropriate, the team will also over-paint and apply anti-graffiti coatings to make future cleaning far simpler and cheaper.
Citizens can report any instances of graffiti in public places by visiting the www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/graffiti website, emailing city.direct@wolverhampton.gov.uk or by calling 01902 551155.
Issued by the press office.