Tackling graffiti in Brent Graeme Maughan LB Brent StreetCare Business Support Manager
Contents • Problem • Approach • Successes • Lessons learned • The future
Problem - 2006 • Persistent tagging / graffiti • Resident dissatisfaction • Bottom quartile of London boroughs for graffiti cleanliness • No arrests & no real idea who the taggers were
Map of Brent
Map of Brent’s graffiti
Approach [1] • Graffiti Partnership Board: StreetCare
Housing Crime Unit
Anti-Social Behaviour Team
Brent Housing Partnership
Trading Standards
Met Police
Cultural Development
British Transport Police
Youth Services
TfL & Network Rail
Approach [2] Consult Define policy Partnership action plan
Successes • >40 arrests or suspects apprehended since Jan 2007 • >15 control orders, inc 1 ASBO • PCSO patrols in hotspots • Successful use of covert & normal CCTV • BBC Television coverage on “Filthy Rotten Scoundrels”
Successes [2] • A number of murals created with resident & tagger involvement – still clean • Good use of diversionary courses – Kickz, Parkour • “Responsible Trader” scheme • Continued partner involvement • Improved resident satisfaction
Lessons Learned [1] • Usually one tag designer and a crew of taggers • Most of those caught are from deprived backgrounds, with a history of family problems • Most are male 13 – 17 years old • They often lack a responsible, older male role model • Mothers are very powerful influencers but need support
Lessons learned [2] • The vast majority of tagging is in summer months • Most taggers prefer physical diversionary activities • Youth justice system doesn’t prevent reoffending • Murals are old hat! More visually interesting environments needed.
The Future • Olympic / Parkour public art trail • Increased Ward Councillor involvement • Use of ‘localism’ budgets for hotspots • Volunteer involvement in finding ‘hidden’ graffiti • More targeted patrols • Less money for: cultural development, diversionary activities, cleansing