News RSS Feed


Weapon to beat graffiti artists

2:05pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

comment Comments (26)   Have your say »


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.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourYork Press

Voice of reason, York says...
2:11pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Weapon to beat graffiti artists


Big bit of wood with a nail in it?

Report this post »

BL, says...
2:21pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Pointy stick?

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
2:25pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Call me stupid but they only paint on it because its a bright colour which makes it easier. If it was painted black it would simple reduce it! It would be a lot cheaper to. Or plan be could be to make the wall electric so when the long haired gooners tried to paint they got electricuted and died.

Report this post »

BL, says...
2:33pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that calling them "artists" is ridiculous and probably doesn't help things? How about calling them criminals...?

Report this post »

Voice of reason, York says...
2:35pm Wed 5 Mar 08

"artists"


I am an artist of a different kind.
My work is quite outstanding!

Report this post »

ouserower, york says...
2:35pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Is this heading encouraging violence against graffiti artists? Can this be incitement to violence?

Report this post »

TitsMcGee, Selby says...
2:53pm Wed 5 Mar 08

bobby dazzler wrote:
Call me stupid but they only paint on it because its a bright colour which makes it easier. If it was painted black it would simple reduce it! It would be a lot cheaper to. Or plan be could be to make the wall electric so when the long haired gooners tried to paint they got electricuted and died.
If you paint it black then they will spray it with White. I will call you stupid because when you spray white on black stands out even more. And an electric wall at a school is an even brighter idea!!

Report this post »

Galloway Out, says...
3:18pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Its hardly going to stop it is it? It just means the council will have to spend money constantly removing the graffiti with their jet washers, giving the graffiti "artists" a blank canvas.

Report this post »

Jason, says...
3:27pm Wed 5 Mar 08

ouserower wrote:
Is this heading encouraging violence against graffiti artists? Can this be incitement to violence?
I hope so because they seem to understand little else.

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
3:33pm Wed 5 Mar 08

TitsMcGee wrote:
bobby dazzler wrote: Call me stupid but they only paint on it because its a bright colour which makes it easier. If it was painted black it would simple reduce it! It would be a lot cheaper to. Or plan be could be to make the wall electric so when the long haired gooners tried to paint they got electricuted and died.
If you paint it black then they will spray it with White. I will call you stupid because when you spray white on black stands out even more. And an electric wall at a school is an even brighter idea!!
Ha so how many spray "artists" use white paint? can you do a 3d outline just using white paint??eerrr no. Can you do a detailed picture using just white paint??eerr no. So titsmcgee why would it be stupid? They take pride in their work and dont just use one colour so i think i now have the right to call you stupid

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
3:35pm Wed 5 Mar 08

and the electric wall was a joke. obviously they dont have houmor where you are. Either that or you are too thick to notice sarcasm when you read it.

Report this post »

Miss Amelia Rate, YORK says...
3:38pm Wed 5 Mar 08

These are the jobs that should be done by people who are on benefits for no reason other than they are too lazy to work.
(Not the "art" the cleaning and litter picking)

Report this post »

Stephen, York says...
3:41pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Cheap solution slap up a couple of WIFI CCTV units to catch the graffitiers.

Then move the cams to another trouble spot.

But then it will cost a fortune for the paperwork and legal fees when charging them all.

Blue bottle with a big pointy stick hidden in the bushes and then toss them onto a passing train to remove evidence may be cheaper option.

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
3:42pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Stephen wrote:
Cheap solution slap up a couple of WIFI CCTV units to catch the graffitiers. Then move the cams to another trouble spot. But then it will cost a fortune for the paperwork and legal fees when charging them all. Blue bottle with a big pointy stick hidden in the bushes and then toss them onto a passing train to remove evidence may be cheaper option.
Not infront of a train because then the little @#'# would not only be runining the wall but my bonus too.

Report this post »

Uncle Tony, York says...
3:55pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Sonja Crisp is a rather splendid name. Brings to mind images of a very matronly type of woman.
All jokes aside, the council is having to spend taxpayers money constantly cleaning up after these scrotes. Thanks a bunch, graffitiers!

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
4:05pm Wed 5 Mar 08

headline on sky news:
Love-Struck Graffiti Vandal Behind Bars
Updated:15:24, Wednesday March 05, 2008

A love-struck graffiti artist who could not resist immortalising his heart's desire in paint has been jailed for two years.

Report this post »

Mike C, york says...
4:09pm Wed 5 Mar 08

This bridge keeps cropping in The Press, and I keep saying the same thing. It's painted light grey, so acts as a blank canvas for yobs. Paint the inside in bright, multicoloured, swirly/jazzy/Latino patterns, and any graffiti is effectively invisible. As I pointed out last time, I've seen this technique used in a graffiti-plagued underpass, and it worked - the little ******s gave up.

Report this post »

Voice of reason, York says...
4:23pm Wed 5 Mar 08

"Proper" graffiti art lookd pretty cool. It's the "taggers" who are the real d1cks.
Z4 and YO30 know who they are as they amble through Clifton spraying anything that doesn't move.
Nonces!

Report this post »

Stephen, York says...
4:49pm Wed 5 Mar 08

bobby dazzler wrote:
Stephen wrote: Cheap solution slap up a couple of WIFI CCTV units to catch the graffitiers. Then move the cams to another trouble spot. But then it will cost a fortune for the paperwork and legal fees when charging them all. Blue bottle with a big pointy stick hidden in the bushes and then toss them onto a passing train to remove evidence may be cheaper option.
Not infront of a train because then the little @#'# would not only be runining the wall but my bonus too.
Not in front into an empty coal wagon as it passes. Next time it fills and goes back to the power station no trace left.

Job done.

Report this post »

the Butler, Cowichan Bay B.C Canada says...
5:21pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Some store sells the paint to the hooligans,Walk the beat, Find the retail outlet and ask for some cooperation in identifying these morons,is this too difficult a task?

Report this post »

badmonkey, USA says...
7:43pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Some good suggestions here...along with some pretty stupid ones. Why not get these graffiti artists involved in thier community? Turn the walls into Graffiti Walls". Invite the artists to help beautify the area by making them specifically designated for graff. Have local businesses sponsor contests every six months that would renew the murals by having another artist or crew have a go.

Instead of fighting these creative (and mischevious) souls. Why not embrace them. Instead of throwing them into jail and turning them into REAL criminals, why not try to turn them around. Bring them out of the woodwork and have some acceptance from both sides.

You'll never stop it. Graffiti has been around for years and always will be.

Art is not a Crime and Graffit never dies!
Sos
www.bmdez.com

Report this post »

Fourth king, York says...
9:39pm Wed 5 Mar 08

I've tried to get them involved and asked to borrow the 'community' removal kit, still waiting to hear from streetscene who I contacted last April!

Report this post »

Gardener, York says...
10:44pm Wed 5 Mar 08

Who would want to use that bridge anyway? Unless you want to be mugged or are dealing you avoid it like the plague, leave 'em to paint there out of the way.

Report this post »

my opinion, york says...
11:00pm Wed 5 Mar 08

why are they repainting the fence that belongs to the mount school?

what a complete waste of time and money.
can't they get the kids from the mount to do litter picking wouldn't harm them, much.

Report this post »

bobby dazzler, york says...
10:04am Thu 6 Mar 08

Gardener wrote:
Who would want to use that bridge anyway? Unless you want to be mugged or are dealing you avoid it like the plague, leave 'em to paint there out of the way.
Ha you really think york is like london or liverpool dont you! There is nothing wrong with the bridge!it gives you easy access from holgate to the mount. I used to use it all the time and not once had any issues and not once have i heard of any issues. You must be locked in you house 24/7 the way you think.

Report this post »

urban, Doncaster says...
4:45pm Thu 10 Apr 08

Dear Sirs,
I was most interested to read your article concerning graffiti and the fact that York City Council have recently "discovered" permanent anti graffiti paint.
I have been trying(without success)to contact anyone at the council concerning our permanent anti graffiti coating ( which does not need the use of high pressure jetting to remove the graffiti)for the past 2 years without any response.Perhaps sending emails every 2 months & writing every 3 months was not the correct way of contacting the rellevant responsible person, perhaps someone from the council will read this and contact me to let me know how this other company has been succesfull & I have failed.

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

Graffiti on fences leading to the footbridge at the end of Love Lane, York Graffiti on fences leading to the footbridge at the end of Love Lane, York

In this section

Essential Links

Sponsored Links






Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »