REPEATED graffiti and vandalism to bus shelters in Droitwich Spa has called the police and town council into action.
In November, West Mercia Police sergeant Cathy Atkinson met with Droitwich Spa Town Councillor Paul Clements and the council’s clerk Mark Keld to look at proactive measures to prevent and clean up the problem.
Police believe a few offenders are responsible for the graffiti and vandalism which is most prevalent at bus shelters in Ombersley Way, Briar Mill and Ledwych as well as Droitwich Spa railway station.
Sergeant Cathy Atkinson said: “Droitwich is a beautiful town with a community that are proud of where they live.
“The recent issue of graffiti in the area is something that my team and I are committed to resolve.
“I appeal to the community to provide us with any information as to who is causing this form of anti-social behaviour.”
Councillors heard at a planning and resources committee meeting on December 4, that in order for the offenders to be brought to justice, police must catch them in the act.
Some measures to prevent graffiti’s impacts on infrastructure have already been tested with the use of anti-graf protective coating at one bus shelter in Ombersley Way in October.
The council will now look at extending the use of anti-graf protective coating on other shelters and infrastructure, as efforts to clean graffiti continues.
Council clerk Mark Keld discussed funding which may be made available, to the council by the police and crime commissioner, to purchase anti-graf coating, which costs £365 per 5 litre tub.
Mr Keld said: “It does reduce the problem, it doesn’t take it away until the suspects are apprehended.
“With the success of it, we are looking at targeting five or six vulnerable parish bus shelters.”
Coordination with Worcestershire County Council Highways is also in progress, with the council looking to funds from the Lengthsman Scheme.
The scheme provides parish’s in the county district with funding to deal with highways priorities, which are of high importance to the community. It was rolled out more widely following a successful funding trial in 2002.
“I’ve arranged with highways, who have consented for anti-graf to be applied to all traffic signs and street infrastructure from Ombersley Way up to the station and even down as far as Salwarpe Road,” added Mr Keld.
