Anti-Social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Graffiti

Graffiti?  Not in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is one of England’s most beautiful counties and as such, we’re aiming to keep it that way.

The 2010 TAAG Graffiti Campaign (Targeted Action Against Graffiti), ran from Monday 22nd February - Friday 5th March, removing unsightly areas of graffiti across Herefordshire.

The campaign was a joint initiative between Amey, Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection Team, Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership and West Mercia Police to reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour across the county. 

The campaign specifically targeted locations, which had been identified by members of the public, as being areas of concern for graffiti.

It’s important to remember that Herefordshire has some of the lowest crime levels in the UK, however graffiti can often make areas appear unsafe, even when they’re not.

The cost to the county for graffiti removal can sometimes be as much as £2,500 per week, so residents are encouraged to say ‘Graffiti - Not in Herefordshire’.

Graffiti is actually illegal and as such can be punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal record.  We urge anyone who identifies areas of graffiti or knows those responsible, to immediately report it.

It’s imperative that we all work together to ensure Herefordshire remains a safe and clean place to live, work and visit.

To report any graffiti, please contact Streetscene on: 01432 261800 or streets@herefordshire.gov.uk.

TAAG Campaign Dates…

Ross-on-Wye

The campaign started on Monday 22nd February 2010 with the cleaning of a high profile location in School Lane.

Ross-on-Wye

Amey painting over the School Lane graffiti.

Kington

The campaign continued around the county with a visit to Kington on Thursday 25th February 2010.

Kington

Amey putting the finishing touches to a newly painted wall in Furlong Lane.

Hereford - Victoria Footbridge

The campaign moved to Hereford for its second week with a visit to the Bishops Meadow / King George V Playing Fields area on Tuesday 2nd March 2010.

Hereford - Victoria Footbridge

Amey cleaning some of the graffiti from one of the footbridges ornate pillars.

TAAG Competition Winners Revealed!

As part of the TAAG Graffiti Campaign a colouring competition was also held for Primary School pupils, which resulted in an overwhelming response from across the county.

After a difficult judging session, five lucky winners were chosen from the numerous wonderful entries.  The four runners-up each received a £30 Odeon cinema voucher whilst the overall winner was awarded a £100 family Go Ape voucher at a special ceremony held at Luston Primary School on Monday 17th May 2010.

It was a pleasure to present the five outstanding pupils with their well deserved prizes and as the standard of entries was incredibly high, they should all feel enormously proud of their achievements.  It was an important aim of the TAAG Graffiti Campaign to educate children around graffiti in a fun and informal way. 

It is important to remember that Herefordshire is already a safe county in which to live, work and visit and by working in partnership, Herefordshire Council and West Mercia Police are striving to reduce anti-social behaviour even further.

Chief Inspector Jim McLaughlin (West Mercia Police) is pictured with the five lucky winners (L-R) Charlotte Crowe (Stoke Prior Primary School), Holly Porter (Longtown Primary School), Olivia Kerr (Luston Primary School), Ronnie Adams Cooper (Leominster Junior School) and Tea Biddle (Luston Primary School).

Competition Winner

The competition was won by 10 year old Tea Biddle from Luston Primary School in Leominster.  Tea won a £100 family Go Ape voucher for her wonderfully colourful entry.

Competition Runner Up

One of the four runners up was 10 year old Ronnie Adams Cooper from Leominster Junior School.  Ronnie won a £30 Odeon voucher for her engaging coloured pencil entry.

Competition Runner Up

8 year old Olivia Kerr from Luston Primary School in Leominster was another competition runner up.  Olivia won a £30 Odeon voucher for her beautifully unique entry.

Competition Runner Up

10 year old Holly Porter from Longtown Primary School was another competition runner up.  Holly won a £30 Odeon voucher for her eye catching entry.

Competition Runner Up

11 year old Charlotte Crowe from Stoke Prior Primary School in Leominster was our final competition runner up.  Charlotte won a £30 Odeon voucher for her bright and bold felt tip entry.