Graffiti continues to be a thorn in the side for Cheltenham residents and council alike. It casts a shadow over public spaces and influencing people's sense of safety, property values, and overall life quality. The Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) is joining forces with key stakeholders such as Cheltenham Borough Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to devise a comprehensive strategy to eradicate graffiti from the town centre and other public areas.
A three-month pilot scheme marks the beginning of a long-term plan aimed at enhancing public safety, fostering community engagement, and stimulating economic growth by maintaining clean and appealing public spaces. A £15,000 grant from the Home Office has been secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to fund a pilot project. The project will employ two people to work across Cheltenham town centre two days a week for three months, using measures such as graffiti-resistant paint and mapping persistent tags to make it harder for vandals to strike.
Phase 1 involves mapping graffiti on town centre businesses, council-owned buildings, grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, and other public areas. Phase 2 focuses on identifying graffiti hotspot locations or larger pieces for initial removal, protection, and patrol. Phase 3 sees the rollout of graffiti removal across all mapped areas.
Fran Inman, chief executive at Cheltenham BID, 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." 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.
" Chris Nelson, Police and Crime Commissioner, 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.".
