A NEW weapon in the fight against graffiti is being used on a York bridge.

The graffiti-ridden Love Lane and bridge, which link Barbara Grove and Driffield Terrace, near the Mount School, are getting a clean-up today.

A permanent anti-graffiti coating, which does not damage the walls, will be applied to ensure any new graffiti can be easily jet-washed off.

City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police are working together to clean up the area. Police also plan to make regular patrols of the bridge to reduce antisocial behaviour.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Kimberley Copestake, of the Micklegate Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "We will be clearing the graffiti off the bridge on Love Lane and then applying an anti-graffiti coating, in order to try to stop the graffiti all together.

"We will also be re-painting the fencing that belongs to The Mount School, litter picking and general weeding of the area to improve the appearance."

A council team is removing graffiti from the bridge and lane, picking up litter and pulling out weeds.

The mobile police station is on hand nearby today for any regular users of the bridge who wish to discuss issues of concern.

The council will be working with Network Rail and the Mount School to reduce litter and graffiti.

Clair Bailey, City of York Council's street environment officer, said: "We hope to make the lane look and feel safer for users of the bridge and deter people from spoiling this area.

"We would encourage anyone who spots any antisocial behaviour to report it immediately to the council or police."

Holgate ward councillor Sonja Crisp said: "Holgate councillors have been concerned with the state of this bridge for quite some time and we are extremely pleased that our persistence in reporting the problems and highlighting them in The Press recently has finally prompted the action that has been a long time coming.

"Painting over graffiti as the council has been doing all over the city as a stop gap often just encourages more graffiti. As graffiti and litter is a growing problem, we need to fight it head on and take pro-active measures.

"This council should, without delay, treat more problem areas with anti-graffiti coating.

"We would also encourage residents to report incidents of graffiti and excessive littering promptly to the council or to their councillors."

She also thanked The Mount School for its help with the litter pick. The Press told in December last year how frustrated local ward councillors had urged the council to try to find a long-term solution to the problem of graffiti in Love Lane.