Safer Vale Partnership – Tackling crime and the causes of crime - 16/10/06

 

A large area of private land surrounding Central Park in Barry is now clear of graffiti thanks to work by the Vale of Glamorgan’s Safer Vale Partnership.

 

Over the past several months, the Council’s Waste Management & Cleansing Enforcement Team and Youth Offending Team joined forces with Probation to remove a huge amount of unsightly graffiti from buildings around the park including the Iceland Store and a number of private houses.

 

The work, which was carried out at weekends, was very labour intensive and involved brick blasting, power washing and painting.

 

Local residents and visitors to the newly refurbished park can now enjoy the area without having to endure unsightly graffiti resulting from years of anti-social behaviour.

 

Graffiti makes an area look run down and has been proven to contribute to the fear of crime within communities. Commenting on the work of the partnership, one local resident said: “We are delighted with the work that’s been carried out and it’s amazing how much better everything looks. The area feels much cleaner and safer since the graffiti has been removed.”

 

Cabinet Member for Visible Services Cllr Geoff Cox praised the work of the Safer Vale Partnership. He said: “This is another excellent example of how the partnership is helping to make real improvements in the Vale which directly impact on how residents feel about where they live and work. I hope the area around Central Park remains free of graffiti so that everyone can enjoy the new amenities.

 

Vale of Glamorgan Senior Enforcement/Compliance Officer Denny White added: “The Partnership is now able to remove graffiti from private property using indemnity forms enabling us to provide effective and lasting solutions to what have, historically, been insurmountable anti-social behaviour problems. If residents or businesses have graffiti on their property, they can contact us to see if the partnership can help.”

 

To report graffiti, please contact the Vale Council’s Visible Services Department on 029 2067 3000 or e-mail visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk