Cllr Justin Tomlinson has spoken out on the problem of graffiti in Swindon, on Radio Swindon. As Lead Member for Swindon Services, this is an area which Councillor Justin Tomlinson now has responsibility for the cleaning up of this unacceptable menace.
Since I was first elected to Swindon Council in May 2000, the Council has repeatadly looked at the growing problem of graffiti.
Graffiti Walls
I vigerously opposed the use of graffiti walls. I felt that these would just serve as 'training grounds' to encourage further graffiti.
The Mannigton graffiti wall was a disaster. Graffiti spread well beyond the site, and the wall was vandalised on numerous occassion, costing the Council £ thousands to repair and rebuild.
During one task group to look into the problem, the Lib Dems were keen to see one such wall installed in each ward. Something myself, and local residents would have opposed.
Banning Of Aerosols & Pens
The Lib Dems suggested banning the sale of aerosols and pens, which could be used to create graffiti. However this scheme would have been flawed for a number of reasons.
Firstly, having spoken to many graffiti artists they made it clear they bought their 'tools' from specialists shops in London, and not Swindon.
Secondly, you would be punishing the vast majority of law abiding people who buy these materials for their own use. For example, art students at school or college.
Thirdly, we would not have had the legal powers to enforce this ban.
Zero Tolerance
I personally believe the only way to tackle this problem is to catch the culprits, and force them to scrub up the mess they have created. Bath Council have recently tightened up the way they have tackled this problem, and this is certainly something I will be looking into.