Cheltenham has identified key graffiti hot spots after receiving 270 complaints in a year. The council is taking action to clean up these areas and improve community safety.
The number of offensive graffiti reports is rising. Last summer, one in three reports involved serious themes like racism and homophobia. The council aims to remove this graffiti within 14 days.
In response, the Cheltenham Business Improvement District and the council started a graffiti patrol. They are working with police cadets to identify problem areas. Imperial Lane, Grosvenor Terrace, and Post Office Lane are now priority spots for cleanup.
Andy ‘Dice’ Davies, an artist, believes that simple removal methods won’t work. He says illegal tags often come back quickly after removal.
Councillor Izaac Tailford is optimistic about the cleanup. He encourages residents to report graffiti to help keep Cheltenham vibrant.
The pilot program to address graffiti is now in its second phase. The Home Office provided £15,000 for this initiative. The first phase focused on mapping graffiti’s impact on local businesses and public spaces.
The second phase began with specialized techniques to remove graffiti without damaging surfaces. Fran Inman from Cheltenham BID is excited about the progress and aims to enhance community engagement.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Evans emphasizes that graffiti is criminal damage. He supports the funding for this initiative to improve safety in Cheltenham.
Inspector Steve Benbow from the local police team highlights the importance of collaboration. The police will continue to work with partners to restore affected areas.
A monitoring phase will follow, with increased police patrols and guidance for businesses on protecting their properties. Residents can report graffiti through the council’s online portal.
