Police preparing to blast graffiti off walls

New measures have been put into place to tackle graffiti near Cannock.

Police officers and Police Community Support Officers in Norton Canes have been trained to use a special machine in areas that have been blighted by graffiti.

Areas include Brownhills Road, where graffiti has been daubed on walls, and some homes. Officers will have to get prior permission from owners of buildings or street signs before graffiti is removed. Cannock Chase Council's street wardens are also trained to use the equipment.

It washes off the graffiti using high pressure.

Hawks Green ward Councillor Ann Bernard said: "I think training officers to use the machine is a good idea because it helps to keep a place looking nice, and somewhere to call your home.

"Graffiti does bring down an area, your home doesn't feel like a special place when it's all over the place.

"Our street wardens are also trained to use the machines and very good at responding immediately to our calls. At the moment, there is a bus stop in Norton Green Road that is being looked at. At the last parish council meeting, we asked people to bring forward areas that need seeing to."

Councillor Mike Holder said: "It's an excellent idea.

"I know we get graffiti at the back of the co-op in Burntwood Road.

"If it gets overpowering, graffiti can affect how an area is regarded. The quicker the reaction to graffiti, the better. Graffiti attracts more graffiti, so if it's dealt with immediately it's all well and good."

The latest move is one of a number of initiatives to clean up eyesore spots.

A community art project, to celebrate the centenary of the first step in creatiing Cannock Park and part of a tidy-up campaign, was completed this month.

Cannock Chase Council invited artist Neil Willis to work with young people, residents and park users to create a piece of art for the wall of Chase Leisure Centre, opposite the playground.

The spray art work is the first phase of an initiative called the Respect Cannock Park.