As part of ‘Not in My Neighbourhood Week’, Isle of Wight Council’s Community Safety Service asked people to ring a special graffiti hotline or upload any street tags they wanted to be removed via the graffiti web page.

Specialist cleaning equipment is being used at over 100 sites across the Island to remove graffiti.

Isle of Wight Council’s Town Centre Managers and Community Support Officers also reported a number of tags.  A week long programme of cleaning at towns across the Island, including Sandown, Newport and Ryde, is currently underway.

Using high powered water jets, specialist gel is painted over graffiti which is then washed off.

Cleaning work has already taken place in several towns including Newport, where a side of the Matalan Superstore that was covered in graffiti was amongst the areas visited.

At the start of the week the council and police, working together with Crimestoppers, advertised in the local media asking residents for information about some persistent tags, that had been reported. The appeal asked for residents to phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for Safer Communities Diana Tuson said

“Graffiti is unwelcome and can leave local residents upset and fearful of crime in their area. By working with the public and our partners, the council can help restore pride in local communities with the graffiti removal programme and the early feedback we’ve been getting has been very positive.

It’s the second year we have used the graffiti hotline and it will continue to be there for residents who want to see graffiti removed”

The graffiti hotline is operated by Isle of Wight Council’s Community Safety Service and people can report tags on 01983 823515 or via the web www.iwight.com/graffiti

Images: David Pugh gets hands on graffiti removal ©IWC Media.