Crackdown on graffiti in Leighton Buzzard under way
A crackdown on graffiti has begun in Leighton Buzzard, with 14 of 26 targeted sites cleaned up already.
Removal of the sprayed on material from areas of the town was contracted to an organisation called 'Graffiti Away' by Leighton-Linslade Town Council.
Its community safety sub-committee held an officer-led review of options to resolve the issue, including use of volunteers, in-house approaches or a specialist contractor.
Councillors, officers and volunteer groups were invited to report any graffiti seen across Leighton-Linslade, according to a report to the local authority's grounds and environment committee.
"It was determined the amount of work required exceeded the capacity of the grounds and environmental services team, with other large projects ongoing," said the report.
"The cost of the graffiti removal is £5,250, excluding VAT. This will be covered by the community safety revenue budget.
"Parsons Close recreation ground skate park was added to a suggested list of 25 locations around the town. So far, 14 sites have been cleared leaving a further 12 to complete.
"The external contractor is efficient and effective, but the sum paid is significant." Among sites being cleared are Leighton Pumping Station, a Highfield Road sign, four electrical boxes in Harrow Road, and two bus stops and a litter bin in Stanbridge Road.
Areas not included, such as the alleyway behind the Baptist Church, New Road, Linslade, are more "tricky to access" because other expenditure is required to close the route off for a couple of days and for a letter drop of the surrounding properties, warned the report.
"The correspondence would advise of any works going ahead and the risk of chemical overspray. The cost for this one project would be £2,850."
The vast majority of the graffiti locally is within the Central Bedfordshire Council area of responsibility, explained the report. LLTC is expected to be asked by the committee to inquire whether CBC has finance available to cover its removal in Leighton-Linslade and how any funding would be accessed.
Community engagement forms part of the local authority's agenda around graffiti. Bedfordshire Police and its police community safety officers (PCSOs) visit schools to relay the message that money spent removing graffiti means less to spend on youth projects, services and events.
A graffiti reach out programme with local artist Dan Easton, who created the murals at the Splash 'n' Play site, is another effective publicity tool, added the report. "This helps encourage and harness the artistic potential of young people, and hopefully guides them away from anti-social behaviour to more productive avenues.
"A recommendation would be for regular sessions, perhaps once a month, rather than a one-off event. Consideration could be given to establishing a part-time town ranger role to focus on matters such as graffiti removal."
The committee meets on Monday (June 1st) to consider its future options, and LLTC acknowledges "the graffiti removal is a temporary solution unless the issue is addressed from all angles".