Gripes over Wolverhampton graffiti reach more than 1,200

Residents have raised concerns over graffiti in the city to Wolverhampton council 1,261 times since 2011.

However the number of complaints has fallen year on year since 2011, when 508 were made.

Last year, just 223 residents contacted the council in relation to graffiti problems.

Councillor Steve Evans, the city council's cabinet member for environment, said: "It is great news to hear that the number of complaints we are receiving in relation has been going down but my goal would be to eradicate it completely.

"We have come this far through a number of different measures, we have the Report It app, which encourages people to contact us directly if there are any environmental problems in their area.

"We have also worked with various community groups and Neighbourhood Watch teams to solve graffiti problems.

"As recently as this week, we have brought in new litter fine enforcers. This all ties in with the anti social behaviour problems associated with graffiti."

As the number of complaints about graffiti in the city has reduced, the sight of artists from Wolverhampton taking part in 'street art' schemes with a brief to make areas more vibrant has increased.

At present, artists are using their creativity to decorate a boarded up area in Heath Town, while in 2013, the pedestrian underpass to Wolverhampton's Peel Street car park was transformed by artist and DJ Paul Pilgrim.

Mr Pilgrim, a street artist from Fordhouses, said the difference between graffiti and street art is vast and that more should be encouraged in Wolverhampton.

He said: "Graffiti is a term that people tend to respond negatively too, it is generally associated with scrawlings on walls, often of obscenities or something that doesn't mean anything to anyone other than the person who drew it.

"Street art is different, it is more cultural and is there to be appreciated by members of the public.

"Street art is colourful and says something, it is done with craft and style.

"It should be encouraged because it brings a level of urban culture to Wolverhampton that is very popular with young people right now."

Last summer, artist and musician Goldie, originally from Heath Town, got behind a program encouraging people to work on street art in the area.

At the other end of the spectrum, vandals were blasted as 'disgraceful' last year after scrawling graffiti over the steps to the cenotaph outside St Peters Church just days before First World War memorial ceremonies were due to take place.