21 February 2008
This month sees the start of an innovative scheme entitled, 'Don't spray it to say it', aimed at tackling the current graffiti problem within the Caerphilly County Borough.
The Safer Caerphilly County Borough Community Safety Partnership has funded the seven-day event, running from 25th February to 4th March, at Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre and will encourage youngsters in the area to be creative in ways other than through graffiti.
Activities of offer will include poetry, rapping and clay sculpture making. In addition, the scheme organisers will highlight the laws surrounding graffiti, the fact that it is considered to be criminal damage and the impact that these actions have had on the wider community.
The scheme will also focus on emphasising to the young people that there are ways in which they can express their art without resorting to graffiti. A professional artist will be present at the event who will reinforce the message that there are alternative ways to enjoy art and the youngsters will be given canvasses to showcase their talents.
Caerphilly County Borough Councils cabinet member for the environment, Cllr David Poole said, "This scheme is an excellent means of illustrating how acts of criminal damage in the form of graffiti will not be tolerated in our area, but at the same time it will allow the youngsters to express themselves in a controlled and constructive series of activities."
In conclusion of the event, the canvasses are expected to be displayed in a community art event, and the parents of the young offenders invited along to view the work. It is hoped that this will give the youngster a real sense of pride and help deter them from doing graffiti illegally in future.
Safer Caerphilly County Borough is a multi-agency organisation whose five statutory organisations are Caerphilly County Borough Council, Gwent Police, Caerphilly Local Health Board, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Gwent police authority. It works to combat crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.
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