Ready, steady, go – three steps to tackle graffiti in Cheltenham

• New measures are being introduced to tackle graffiti in Cheltenham
• Local businesses, the borough council and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) are launching a three month pilot scheme targeting the worst affected areas
• The scheme is funded by a £15k grant secured from the Home Office by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
• Cheltenham Business Improvement District CEO Fran Inman said, “This is a joint effort, involving everyone who cares about the town and our communities, to create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming environment”.

To some it is art. To many others, it is a persistent issue that is having a negative impact on people’s perception of safety, property values and their overall quality of life in Cheltenham.

Now, the Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) is working with other key stakeholders including Cheltenham Borough Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on a strategy to remove graffiti from the town and other public spaces.

A three month pilot is the first step in a long-term programme designed to make people feel more safe, enhance community engagement and encourage economic growth by maintaining clean and attractive public spaces. 

The timetable for the pilot is:

• Phase 1 – mapping graffiti on businesses, council buildings, grade 1 and 2 listed buildings and other public areas 
• Phase 2 – identifying hotspot locations or larger pieces to start removal, protect and patrol
• Phase 3 – roll out graffiti removal across all mapped areas.

BID CEO Fran Inman, said: “Graffiti is a persistent issue that negatively impacts people’s perception of safety, property and overall quality of life in Cheltenham. It’s a problem that, while it may never be entirely eliminated, can be significantly reduced through coordinated efforts.

“By addressing graffiti/tagging; we can contribute to crime reduction, strengthen community ties by getting the public involved in stopping it, helping with the clean-up and with the knock-on effect of boosting property values.

“This is not a quick fix or something that can be resolved overnight. But, with persistence and a joint community effort with everyone who cares about our town, we can make a lasting impact to create a cleaner, safer, more welcoming environment”.

Funding for the pilot was secured from the Home Office by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The £15k grant is based on two people working across Cheltenham town centre two days per work week over three months. They will be using a range of measures to make tagging more difficult such as graffiti resistant paint and the mapping of persistent tags.

PCC Chris Nelson said, “I am glad we were able to secure funding for a new approach because working together with the BID, the council and other partners gives us a real opportunity to tackle a problem which undermines communities and affects so many people”. 

“Cheltenham is a great place to live and work and it is our responsibility to look after it. Graffiti is criminal damage plain and simple, and like any other form of anti-social behaviour, it is not acceptable”.

Graffiti is words or drawings, which are written, painted, sprayed or scratched on the surface of any property. The practice is illegal, can be very costly to remove and can result in large fines handed down by a Magistrate, or up to a £500 fixed penalty notice issued by a neighbourhood team officer or the police.

Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “Graffiti grot spots and tags, that are very often offensive and persistent in nature, are a blight on our neighbourhoods across the town. I am very thankful for this funding along with this new strategic approach, to try to reduce this crime and anti-social behaviour, for the benefit of everyone who lives, works or visits our beautiful regency town.

“The real cost of graffiti can also run into significant sums which is why it’s one of my top priorities as cabinet lead for safety and communities. Our aim is to have a clear framework for dealing with and preventing graffiti and tagging. This three-month pilot scheme combined with the longer-term strategy will give us a two-pronged approach. It will help to remove the graffiti and tagging from our buildings, street furniture and public spaces as well as raise awareness of how people can report it to us and take care of their buildings when it has occurred.

“We look forward to working with the BID, OPCC, our partners, local businesses and residents to ensure that Cheltenham remains a clean, attractive and welcoming place for everyone.”