Wandsworth Council’s anti graffiti message will be seen across south London as part of a new advertising campaign using London Buses and the London Underground Network.
The new campaign as well as the release of a new hard-hitting DVD production, produced by a local theatre company and featuring local students, will mark the launch of Graffiti Awareness Week next week.
The launch of Graffiti Awareness Week takes place on Monday, October 9 at St Mary’s Community Centre, in Garratt Lane, SW18.
The initiative, now in its third year aims to raise awareness of graffiti removal services, educate young people and highlight the environmental damage and cost of graffiti vandalism in southwest London.
Wandsworth Council as leading member of SWAAG (South West Action Against Graffiti) a partnership with ten neighbouring south London local authorities, the police, British Transport Police and Network Rail, will join partners in holding various activities throughout the week to help combat graffiti.
At the launch event, executive member for housing, Cllr Martin Johnson will unveil the first of more than 400 London buses bearing the anti graffiti slogan ‘It’s off the wall’. The new advertising campaign will travel along London streets for three months. Posters carrying the anti graffiti message will also adorn sites in tube stations in the borough.
Visitors to the launch event will also see a preview of a new hard-hitting film featuring drama students at Southfields Community College. ‘Consequence’ features a cast of seven young actors and actresses from the college based in Wandsworth. The 20 minute film tells the story of a teenager, Nathaniel, played by 16 year old, Dale Riley, and how the consequences of his antisocial behaviour leads to the community turning their back on him in his time of need, leading to the death of his grandmother.
The film’s ultimate message is the devastating consequences of graffiti and how it can have a knock on effect on the lives of people affected by it.
The new anti graffiti DVD, commissioned and produced by the Dangerous Theatre Company, will be available to secondary schools later in the year
Members of the cast of ‘Consequence’ will be presented with special gifts by the executive member for housing, Cllr Martin Johnson and will get to meet members of the council’s anti graffiti team who will be on hand to talk about their role.
During graffiti awareness week, the council’s graffiti removal team will target parks and town centres in the borough. Areas scheduled for a graffiti blitz include Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec Common and parts of the Balham and Tooting town centres will also be targeted.
Anti graffiti reward flyers will also be distributed to residents who live near graffiti hotspots.
Executive member for housing, Cllr Martin Johnson said:
“Graffiti is a menace which we strive to stamp out in Wandsworth. It is not only unsightly but costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to remove. This week we aim to raise awareness of the problem, which affects us all, as well as to highlight the sterling job our graffiti removal team undertake on a daily basis.
‘Consequence’ serves to illustrate the consequences of graffiti and how everyone is affected by it. The film will be distributed across all secondary schools in conjunction with SWAAG and aims to show young people the importance of putting a stop to this social menace. As part of our extensive advertising campaign, posters will be seen on the exterior and interiors of buses as well as on London Underground platforms. So wherever you are in the borough, you cannot fail to see the anti graffiti message”
Two reward campaign posters will also be launched over graffiti awareness week targeting the most prolific taggers in two estates -Doddington and Rollo and Streatham Park / Colson Way estates.
The posters are produced in partnership with Crimestoppers. By calling Crimestoppers to report graffiti, callers can remain anonymous. A reward of up to £1,000 is available for those who can give information that leads to a prosecution.
Last year Wandsworth Council removed 88,000 square metres of graffiti around the borough and the service holds a Charter Mark for service excellence.
Wandsworth’s graffiti removal service is free to all residents and businesses in the borough.
Offensive graffiti, such as racist or abusive, is removed within 24 hours and other forms are removed within three working days. To report graffiti or to find out more about the service call (020) 8871-7049, email graffiti@wandsworth.gov.uk or visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/graffiti or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
By logging on to www.wandsworth.gov.uk/graffiti local residents and businesses can request free graffiti removal services, check news and information on enforcement initiatives and give information about graffiti vandals.