Graeme Maughan

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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


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