New measures to tackle graffiti in Cheltenham underway

A pilot aimed at tackling graffiti tagging in Cheltenham town centre is entering its second phase as work to clean areas identified as being graffiti hot spots starts.

The Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) has worked with key stakeholders including Cheltenham Borough Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Gloucestershire constabulary and local community policing teams to map areas impacted by graffiti as part of a new pilot launched in September. The pilot will also be working closely with the police cadets and the Civic Society. 

Funding of £15k was secured from the Home Office by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the first phase begun with the appointment of Ecoclean Environmental chosen for their passion for a cleaner Cheltenham and their expertise in the removal of graffiti. This phase also included a mapping and data gathering exercise of the impact of graffiti on town centre businesses and council owned buildings, grade 1 and 2 listed buildings and other public areas.

Entering the second phase marked a significant milestone in the pilot as work to remove tagging began early in the new year. Using a variety of specialist solutions, equipment and techniques to remove the graffiti without causing damage to the underlying surface or having any negative environmental impact.  

Fran Inman, chief executive at Cheltenham BID, said: “We’re really excited to have entered the next phase of the pilot having worked closely with our partners to map and gather data during the first phase.

“The pilot is designed to make people feel safer, enhance community engagement, and encourage economic growth by maintaining clean and attractive public spaces, whilst also encouraging individuals to report issues or concerns to help sustain these improvements.”

Help tackle graffiti by reporting online.

Cllr Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for waste, recycling and public realm said: “Graffiti grot spots and tags are a visual blight on our town. They’re often offensive and persistent in nature and undermines the sense of pride we have for our town. The clean up of graffiti comes at a significant cost and drains valuable resources.

“Entering this next phase of the pilot restores the beauty of our regency town, working with our partners, we’re encouraging residents to take action and report graffiti to help us maintain the vibrancy of our town for everyone.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Evans said: “Tackling graffiti may seem trivial, but it isn’t. It’s criminal damage and makes people feel less safe when they’re walking around. That’s why I’m so pleased that we have been able to fund this scheme, tackling anti-social behaviour and making it clear that we have real pride in Cheltenham.”

Inspector Steve Benbow from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “The police can't tackle graffiti alone which is why I’m pleased that we’re part of the partnership approach.

"Joint working allows us to identify areas which are being targeted by graffiti and work together with colleagues to restore the area.

"My team supported in the initial phase of this scheme and will continue to do so throughout. Graffiti is criminal damage so PCSOs and officers will work to identify and robustly deal with anyone found to be committing offences."

The final phase of the pilot will be the roll out of graffiti removal across all mapped areas.

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For interviews or enquiries:

Cheltenham Borough Council communications, email [email protected] or telephone 01242 264231

To arrange an interview with the Police and Crime Commissioner, contact [email protected]; [email protected]; Or call 01452 754601

Cheltenham BID communications, email [email protected] or call 07497359667

Notes:

• Graffiti is words or drawings, which are written, painted, sprayed or scratched on the surface of any property. Graffiti is illegal, spoils both public and private property and can be very costly to remove.
• It is a criminal offence carrying large fines given out by a Magistrate, or up to £500 fixed penalty notice issued by a neighbourhood team officer or the police.
• View Cheltenham’s policy regarding unauthorised or unwelcome graffiti.
• £15k funding was for the appointment two people working across Cheltenham town centre two days per work week over a period of three months, is entering its second phase as the mapped areas begin to see removal.
• Ecoclean Environmental was appointed after a tender process and selected for their experience  https://ecocleanenvironmental.co.uk/
• To avoid the potential environmental impact caused by the liquified graffiti paint during the cleanse, Ecoclean Environmental use a truck mounted extraction system which recovers the solution, paint and water used, and stores in a waste tank located in the Ecoclean Environmental vehicle. This is then processed in accordance with local regulations at their HQ. No residue of solution or paint is left at the site of the cleanse.