04 April 2008
Graffiti in Caerphilly is being cleaned-up, as part of the drive to prevent more 'tags' from being sprayed around the area.
Young people from the local Youth Offending Service removed the graffiti from local property, as part of their Community Reparation Work.
They concentrated on an area in Caerphilly town centre, using graffiti removal equipment they purchased with funding from the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, and paint. They removed graffiti from walls and garages in a lane running behind Dol-y-Felin Street and Mill Road.
Residents are highlighting that graffiti is a local concern for them via the Partnership and Communities Together meetings.
Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team is working with Safer Caerphilly and Caerphilly Council to help tackle the issue of graffiti tags being sprayed on both private and public property.
Officers are talking to pupils at local secondary schools about the possible consequences they could face if they are caught and the subsequent effects graffiti can have on the local community.
In the last couple of months, seven young people have been arrested for spraying graffiti across Caerphilly and Bedwas.
PC Philip Thomas from the Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Issues with graffiti have been raised by residents at PACT meetings in Caerphilly. We are working in partnership with the Youth Offending Service, Caerphilly Council and Safer Caerphilly to combine our efforts to tackle the issue of graffiti tagging.
"We believe it's mainly young people between the ages of 11 and 18 who are taking part in this growing problem. Whilst we are working with local schools, shops and the community to help tackle this issue, I would appeal for anyone with information about who is spraying the tags around the area to get in contact with us, and for parents to be vigilant if their child has spray cans in their possession."
Youth Offending Service Officer, Tony Hicks, said: "The Youth Offending Service has been heavily involved in this project to remove unsightly graffiti from our community. Several of our youngsters who are participating in reparation work in the community have taken part, having been trained to operate the graffiti removal equipment, which was funded by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership."
A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: "Graffiti is an illegal, anti-social activity that creates a negative impression of an area and contributes to people's fear of crime in the area. In partnership with the Probation Service, we can arrange for the removal of graffiti from public places in the borough. To report graffiti, please contact our Public Services Department, on 01443 873750."
If you have any information about who is spraying graffiti in the area, please contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
- Return to News