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Tough penalties for graffiti call Tough penalties for graffiti call
(about 4 hours later)
Graffiti affects almost 40% of streets in Newport but only 2% of Pembrokeshire streets, according to a campaign group.Graffiti affects almost 40% of streets in Newport but only 2% of Pembrokeshire streets, according to a campaign group.
Keep Wales Tidy has released a survey of graffiti across Wales and called for councils to get tough on those caught defacing communities.Keep Wales Tidy has released a survey of graffiti across Wales and called for councils to get tough on those caught defacing communities.
It says there is graffiti on an average of 12% of Welsh streets and it is costing £1m a year to remove.It says there is graffiti on an average of 12% of Welsh streets and it is costing £1m a year to remove.
The group said graffiti increases the fear of crime, devalues property prices and discourages investment. Newport Council said its Graffiti Busters project made offenders remove graffiti from communities.
Keep Wales Tidy said graffiti increases the fear of crime, devalues property prices and discourages investment.
The "Graffiti: Crime not Art" campaign is being launched in Aberavon near Port Talbot, where some residents have joined together to combat the problem.The "Graffiti: Crime not Art" campaign is being launched in Aberavon near Port Talbot, where some residents have joined together to combat the problem.
The survey found in Neath Port Talbot, 22.7% of streets were affected by some graffiti.The survey found in Neath Port Talbot, 22.7% of streets were affected by some graffiti.
Fed up with the state of their local park on Hopkins Street people living nearby came together four years ago to clear up the area.Fed up with the state of their local park on Hopkins Street people living nearby came together four years ago to clear up the area.
They have expanded their efforts to form Daclus Sandfields Aberavon and now stage regular litter picks, beach cleans, flower and tree planting and have formed a graffiti removal team.They have expanded their efforts to form Daclus Sandfields Aberavon and now stage regular litter picks, beach cleans, flower and tree planting and have formed a graffiti removal team.
Volunteer Ray Davies said: "We were all just fed up with the state of the place.Volunteer Ray Davies said: "We were all just fed up with the state of the place.
HOW MUCH GRAFFITI IS IN YOUR AREA? Anglesey 6.2% of streetsBlaenau Gwent 12.7%Bridgend 7.8%Caerphilly 8.3%Cardiff 11.3%Carmarthen 7.2%Ceredigion 7.9%Conwy 10.2%Denbighshire 6.5%Flintshire 10.9%Gwynedd 4.8%Merthyr Tydfil 8.8%Monmouth 8.0%Neath Port Talbot 22.7%Newport 39.3%Pembrokeshire 2.3%Powys 11.4%Rhondda Cynon Taf 20.6%Swansea 24.0%Torfaen 6.3%Vale of Glamorgan 22.3%Wrexham 10.2%All Wales average 12%Percentage of streets affected by graffiti. Source: Keep Wales TidyHOW MUCH GRAFFITI IS IN YOUR AREA? Anglesey 6.2% of streetsBlaenau Gwent 12.7%Bridgend 7.8%Caerphilly 8.3%Cardiff 11.3%Carmarthen 7.2%Ceredigion 7.9%Conwy 10.2%Denbighshire 6.5%Flintshire 10.9%Gwynedd 4.8%Merthyr Tydfil 8.8%Monmouth 8.0%Neath Port Talbot 22.7%Newport 39.3%Pembrokeshire 2.3%Powys 11.4%Rhondda Cynon Taf 20.6%Swansea 24.0%Torfaen 6.3%Vale of Glamorgan 22.3%Wrexham 10.2%All Wales average 12%Percentage of streets affected by graffiti. Source: Keep Wales Tidy
"The streets are terraced with back allies and there is a lot of buy-to-let so there was a lot of rubbish and graffiti."The streets are terraced with back allies and there is a lot of buy-to-let so there was a lot of rubbish and graffiti.
"We formed a graffiti group - we've got boys 12 to 16 that go with us and they are good as gold."We formed a graffiti group - we've got boys 12 to 16 that go with us and they are good as gold.
"For a while the graffiti kept coming back and back, we've still got a little way to go with some of the harder ones, but I think we've turned the corner.""For a while the graffiti kept coming back and back, we've still got a little way to go with some of the harder ones, but I think we've turned the corner."
He said the secret was involving the youngsters and encouraging them to have pride in where they live.He said the secret was involving the youngsters and encouraging them to have pride in where they live.
Mr Davies said to thank those involved they tried to provide regular treats such as football tickets, days out and sleep-overs.Mr Davies said to thank those involved they tried to provide regular treats such as football tickets, days out and sleep-overs.
Keep Wales Tidy said perpetrators need to be convinced "that their talents should be channelled productively."Keep Wales Tidy said perpetrators need to be convinced "that their talents should be channelled productively."
It also said the media had a part to play and said some reports tended to "glamorise" graffiti by presenting it as art.It also said the media had a part to play and said some reports tended to "glamorise" graffiti by presenting it as art.
Tegryn Jones, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "The costly act of graffiti is not only harming Welsh pockets, but the development of an area.Tegryn Jones, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "The costly act of graffiti is not only harming Welsh pockets, but the development of an area.
"Those committing these anti-social acts must realise the impact they have on society and also themselves."Those committing these anti-social acts must realise the impact they have on society and also themselves.
"If convicted in court, they could face a fine, undertaking community service or even a custodial sentence.""If convicted in court, they could face a fine, undertaking community service or even a custodial sentence."
Newport Council said tackling the graffiti issue was a priority.
"An increasing focus on enforcement has already led to a number of successful prosecutions for environmental crimes like fly-tipping and litter," said a spokesman.
"As with anyone who blights our local landscape and community, we will look to prosecute these vandals whenever possible.
The spokesman said its Graffiti Busters project had made a difference to how graffiti was tackled in the city.
"Supported by the council, Gwent Police, and run by Gwent Probation, offenders give something back to their local communities by removing graffiti while involved on community payback schemes," he said.