15 July 2008
Caerphilly's first ever legal graffiti wall will be launched on Monday 21st July, to help eliminate illegal graffiti from being sprayed on buildings and property throughout the area.
The wall, which is set to be officially opened by Caerphilly County Borough Council's Deputy Mayor John Evans, will allow youngsters to have an area that can be used to pursue their hobby of spraying graffiti, but in a completely legal way.
With dimensions of approximately 32ft in length by 6ft in height, the wall is sure to be very impressive in stature, and will bring a much-needed additional youth facility to the local area.
The event, which is set to be held from 10:00am to 2:00pm, is also expected to include several other attractions and light refreshments, in addition to the official launch of the wall itself.
The wall has been funded primarily by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, which incorporates Caerphilly Council and Gwent Police and works to reduce levels of crime, disorder and anti social behaviour in the local area.
Caerphilly Leisure Centre Manager, John Poyner said, "I would really urge people to come along and participate in the activities that are taking place on the launch day in addition to the official launch of the wall - it really should be a great day."
Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "I very much welcome this fantastic new youth facility to the county borough. On occasions recently, the area has been subjected to a significant amount of illegal graffiti being sprayed on buildings and property, causing not only unsightliness but criminal damage also.
This legal graffiti wall will enable youngsters to continue pursuing their hobby, but in a completely legal way and will also help eliminate this unsightly graffiti from buildings and property in our area."
Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team Officer, PC Phil Thomas, said: "It has been great to work with the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership and the Youth Offending Service to introduce the first legal graffiti wall to the Caerphilly County Borough. The young people that we spoke to during this initiative all wanted a legal wall to display their art. Now, after months of hard work we have been able to introduce this much wanted facility. I hope that in the future they will use the wall and keep Caerphilly free from unsightly graffiti."
For further information, please contact the Blackwood based Youth Offending Service on01495 235 623 or the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership on 01443 864374.
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