Page 17 - link magazine

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Have you seen
Graffiti the writing on

the wall?
News
SwrnDon
BOROUGH COUflCIL What are your views

on graffiti?
Please return this survey
Trying to deal with a which has been compiled

with assistance from young
major problem people in West Swindon

YES NO
CLeaning Services Manager Geoff Davies writes: Do you see graffiti as an
opportunity to display art?
I know that Swindon residents are concerned about graffiti, especially where it is
sprayed on walls in public places and on private property. Do you see graffiti as a
problem?
We recognise that there are different kinds
of graffiti. A number of readers will con-
Would you attend a meeting in
sider some graffiti as works of public art.
order to discuss this issue?
However a lot of the spray painted 'tagging'
seen on walls and lamp posts is no more than Do you see a difference
vandalism. between graffiti art and
Nearly £40,000 a year is spent by the coun- vandalism?
cil's Health & Public Protection Department
removing graffiti from highway structures and Do you think that the same
on applying special coatings to subways. people do both?
Additionally other departments such as
housing spend large sums dealing with prop- Do you like the dull grey walls
erties under their control. on the underpasses?
Our resource are not sufficient to clear all Former Westlea School headteacher
Neil Griffiths pictured with vandalism Would you like to see the dull
the graffiti, though offensive graffiti is
on a classroom last year
cleaned as a matter of urgency. What the grey wall brightly patterned?
council cannot do is remove the graffiti from • Please report any suspicious behaviour
Do you think that it would be
your home because of limitation placed on to the police and notify them if you
constructive to offer a specific
it by legislation. experience graffiti being applied to your
A working group of interested parties such property. Much work is being done to space for artists to complete
as the Local and British Transport police, the apprehend offenders and information is their 'pieces'?
youth service, the play service, community vital for the ongoing investigation.
Do you think that this would
development and local residents has been
meeting to discuss the problem. This news- Please be assured that Swindon Borough stop some of the vandalism?
letter is the first practical initiative by the Council recognises graffiti as a quality of life
issue and understands the concerns of its resi- Has any part of your home
group. been damaged by graffiti
It may be useful to give a few hints on the dents. We are looking at various options for
vandals?
removal of graffiti in case your property is action. One could be to provide an 'official'
space for graffiti to take place, where peer
attacked: If you have any other views on this
controversial issue or have an idea
• It is important to act quickly especially education can take place.
when the surface is brick or porous blocks. On the other hand, should we do nothing on how the problem could be addressed,
Use a paint stripper product and follow and hope the forces of law and order can please write your comments here:
respond appropriately?
the manufacturer's guidance contained on
the packaging. It may be wise to buy a We would be grateful for your comments
small container initially so that you can to the survey on the right.
be sure that the product works before
spending greater sums. Who else to contact
• Discuss what has occurred with your home
insurers, frequently vandalism against your Swindon Borough Council can only clean
graffiti off its own property.
home can be the subject of an insurance
Call these agencies if it appears elsewhere:
claim to enable removal by professionals.
British Gas 0117 953 5444 Please drop this survey into a box at:
• Consider masking vulnerable surfaces from
British Telecom 151
similar attacks by growing dense and/or West Swindon Library, Link Centre
Southern Electric 0345 444555
broadleafed plants against the structure. i or the Haydon Centre, Thames Avenue,
Swindon Cable 615601
Quick growing plants such as ivy and or post to: The Link, 13 Castle Dore,
Thames Water 0645 200 800
contoneaster are ideal. Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PQ