New graffiti removal van strengthens work to keep West Northants clean

West Northamptonshire Council has introduced additional graffiti removal resources, including a new van to support efforts to keep local neighbourhoods clean and welcoming.

Reports of graffiti have risen sharply since in recent years, placing growing pressure on the service and this additional resource will make sure the service is able to keep up with demand.

Working together, the council and Veolia have identified a number of important routes that act as major gateways into Northampton.

The new resources will focus on keeping these public areas free from graffiti and helping to improve the look and feel of the local environment.

These routes include Kettering Road where work started this week to remove unsightly graffiti such as tags – or signatures – and ‘throw-ups’ – words created from bubble lettering.

The new team will also speak with private property owners along these routes to offer support and raise awareness of the graffiti removal service that is available to them.

Alongside this work, the Community Safety Team is working with local artists on a series of street art projects across West Northants, to paint artwork in areas that are often targeted. This includes utility cabinets, walls near roads, shop shutters and an underpass.

Councillor Nigel Stansfield, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste, said: “This new resource will make a real difference to our work to remove graffiti quickly and to keep our public spaces looking their best.

“We know that graffiti can have a negative impact on how people feel about their community, so this extra resource will help us respond faster and maintain important gateway routes.

“Our growing programme of street art projects also shows that we are taking a positive and creative approach to tackling the issue.

“By working with local artists and community groups we can improve the look of our towns and protect vulnerable sites from repeated vandalism.”

During the coming month the Council plans to deliver three wall murals and twenty four pillars, four roadside wall murals, three shop shutters and underpass artwork.

A further programme of twenty five utility cabinets has already started and will continue throughout spring.

Most designs have been created with local community groups. Roadside pieces will use simple designs linked with the community.

To help protect these artworks, the council will also apply a special coating to reduce the risk of damage from rogue graffiti.

Graffiti is a form of criminal damage and anyone with evidence that will help the Council catch those responsible or who would like to report graffiti can do so through the website.