Graffiti clean-up

2:59pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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CABLE companies and council chiefs are teaming up in an attempt to rid York of unsightly graffiti.

An anti-graffiti partnership has been established, involving City of York Council and Virgin Media, to tackle the vandalism that often appears on green cable boxes around the city.

Virgin has agreed to provide a free supply of paint to cover over graffiti on its boxes, and to make a contribution towards the removal work.

Jackie Armitage, the council's environment and enforcement manager, said: "We're delighted that Virgin Media are being so proactive in their approach to tackle graffiti.

"We hope that the partnership approach will enable us to remove graffiti quicker and more effectively, while also preventing future damage."

Neal Walshe, spokesperson for Virgin, said: "We are delighted to be working with City of York Council to combat the antisocial menace of graffiti. We are confident that our joint-efforts will result in a significant improvement in the local environment."

The initiative is part of the council's current Spring Clean campaign. Work includes all Virgin cabinet boxes that have graffiti on them being painted, thanks to funding from Safer York Partnership.

All boxes will be re-visited over the next three months and cabinets identified as suffering repeated graffiti damage will then be treated with an anti-defacement coat, funded by Virgin.

An "adopt-a-box" scheme will also be introduced with volunteers, including some existing community-based anti-graffiti kit holders, taking responsibility for cabinets, either to wipe them clean or to cover up the vandalism with new paint.

Coun Andrew Waller, executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "City of York Council, through York Pride, is taking the lead on this issue by working with the owners who are responsible for the cable boxes. We did ask the Government for these powers in 2004 but were turned down, so instead we have been working on a voluntary agreement which has been strengthened by this partnership."

The council's Street Environment team is also working closely with Safe Neighbourhood Teams and North Yorkshire Police to combat the problem through enforcement powers.

Anyone who would like to adopt a media box in their local community, or help to combat graffiti, can phone Andrew Williams at the council's street environment service on 01904 553138.