Graffiti near the Barn Road roundabout in Norwich.; photo by Adrian Judd
Norwich is hit by graffiti menace
Kate Scotter
Monday, March 14, 2011
12:00 PM
Norwich’s reputation as a fine city is being threatened by a new menace – that was the warning today as the true scale of graffiti in the city centre emerged.
A snapshot Evening News survey found more than 20 cases of graffiti tags in five different locations around Norwich including the underpass beneath St Stephen’s Street roundabout, near Westlegate House in the city centre and around Anglia Square.
Council officials say more than £1m is spent every year on cleaning the streets of Norwich, which includes tackling graffiti, with City Hall receiving up to 500 reports a year.
Steve Morphew, leader of the city council, said: “A lot of graffiti is not just an eyesore but does intimidate and can be threatening.
“There’s a place for everything and some graffiti art in the right place is excellent and welcome but we don’t want people to be defacing our city and ruining our reputation.
“Anyone who sees graffiti should report it and that will help us clean it up as soon as possible.”
Police and the city council work together to tackle graffiti.
Anyone caught committing an offence is given an £80 on-the-spot fine or arrested and given a criminal record.
The city council removes graffiti from council property and public areas but cannot clean up privately-owned buildings.
Offensive or racist graffiti will be dealt with within 24 hours of being reported, usually on the same day. All other graffiti is removed within 14 days of the report being received.
A City Hall spokesman said: “Removing graffiti around the city costs a significant amount each year – money that could be spent making improvements to services.
“It is disappointing that some people feel the need to spoil the city for everyone else by carrying out illegal graffiti on public and private property, especially when we provide areas which we allow people to do this legally.
”We would encourage anyone who witnesses graffiti being carried out to call either the council or the police so that the case can be fully investigated.
“Please remember that graffiti is an illegal activity, so for your safety do not approach anyone you see offending.”
PC Peter Davison, from Norfolk police’s Norwich operational partnership team, said the police and partner authorities were currently developing a graffiti database to speed up the exchange of information.
He said: “Graffiti is an eyesore and costs a significant amount of money to get it removed. Restorative justice has been used in several cases where offenders have been made to clear up their mess to make amends but those responsible also face being issued with an £80 on-the-spot fine or even arrest and a criminal record.
“We are aware of a number of ‘tags’, including the SHOOK tag, which have appeared around our city in the last few months.
“Somebody knows who is doing this. I urge them to tell us.”
Although a vast amount of graffiti has been found in and around the city, it has been said that the number of incidents has reduced in recent years. This has been put down to dedicated graffiti walls. These include the old TSO office building at the corner of Botolph Street and St Crispin’s Road where graffiti is encouraged and permitted.
There are also schemes where councillors are provided with green paint so they can get involved with painting green utilities boxes when they are defaced.
Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, said: “It’s a real shame to cause distress to other people and that’s what graffiti often does, but there are places to put creative energy to a good community cause. I strongly urge people to do this instead of causing damage to property.”
Norwich South MP Simon Wright added: “It’s really important for authorities to take a zero tolerance approach to graffiti but it’s also important for residents to do their bit by reporting problems as they occur.”
Derek James, sheriff of Norwich, said he hoped something positive would be done to bring the St Stephen’s Street underpass back to its former glory.
Back in 2004, the well-used subway was transformed into a colourful mural by art and design students from Norwich City College.
“We are never going to win the “war” against graffiti artists but those who are more than just obscene scribblers need to be encouraged to prove their talents - and make the rest of us admire their work,” said Mr James.
“Several people have complained to me about the disgraceful condition of the St Stephen’s subway - an ideal place where talented graffiti artists could prove they can illustrate the walls with style.
“Perhaps we could see a Norwich School of Graffiti Artists in the future which would drive the tasteless taggers out of town.”
Anyone who sees graffiti should report it to the council by calling 0344 980 3333 or Norfolk police on 0845 456 4567.
Additional reporting by Jamil Benmehidi, Kerry Brady, Simon Butcher, Amy Collins and Matthew Mayes
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20 comments
I dont think these children are artists at all what they spay depicts is a half life with no motivation and no urgency to get a job and contribute to the community.
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Amanda.T
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Graffiti is often a voice for those who won't be listened to. It isn't the cause of a ruined reputation but a symptom of a system that no longer functions. If this gets the people of Norwich all SHOOK up and taking a proper look at what is going on around them I'd say these artists are achieving something quite significant.
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Shavonda
Monday, March 14, 2011
Graffiti is often a voice for those who won't be listened to. It isn't the cause of a ruined reputation but a symptom of a system that no longer functions. If this gets the people of Norwich all SHOOK up and taking a proper look at what is going on around them I'd say these artists are achieving something quite significant.
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Shavonda
Monday, March 14, 2011
Graffiti is often a voice for those who won't be listened to. It isn't the cause of a ruined reputation but a symptom of a system that no longer functions. If this gets the people of Norwich all SHOOK up and taking a proper look at what is going on around them I'd say these artists are achieving something quite significant.
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Shavonda
Monday, March 14, 2011
Yes, it really is simple. If you want to support "da kids" in their "art", simply put up a sign saying, "Graffitti welcome here." Give the rest of us a break from these arrogant, talentless wasters.
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pamela mason
Monday, March 14, 2011
Kids with spray cans and markers, how menacing. This is just another example of sensationalist journalism about something that has been happening in this city for over 25 years. Have you not any real news to write about?
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Cedric Miller
Monday, March 14, 2011
No chance of ever spotting these guys on one of the many cameras in the city and getting some police to the scene pronto then?
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Melvyn Parkerson
Monday, March 14, 2011
"Banksy it aint". I wonder how it would take before his name was mentioned. FYI Banksy couldn't cut it in the world of 'real' graffiti. So he started copying the stencil work of Blek Le Rat, moved to London and employed an agent to promote his GCSE level 'street art' to the fawning hipsters and media divs of Shoreditch and Hoxton. His fame spread through the hipster network resulting in his work being bought by world renowned art connoisseurs such as Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham. As Charlie Brooker recently commented "...his work looks dazzlingly clever to idiots." Back to the topic in hand, I swear the Evening News has been running this same story every year for the past 25 years. Graffiti is not going away, even if you were to clean every tag instantly they will still reappear. And if you think custodial sentences are the answer, then think again. Young people in this country have often received longer prison sentences for graffiti than than those handed out to sex offenders and violent criminals. But does that stop them re-offending when they get released? No, it simply serves to embitter them and in turn makes them even more determined to get back at the system that incarcerated them for simply writing on things...
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Cedric Miller
Monday, March 14, 2011
I blame irresponsible cat owners
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cathater
Monday, March 14, 2011
Graffitti is viewed as Low Level Crime,and thats why you never see a single prosecution for this offence
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Albert Cooper
Monday, March 14, 2011
Graffitti is viewed as Low Level Crime,and thats why you never see a single prosecution for this offence
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Albert Cooper
Monday, March 14, 2011
Banksy it ain't . Mediocre tricksy and arrogant it is-encouraged by the fools who have indulged "street artists". If they want to be artists let them fork out for a bit of hardboard or canvas like other people instead of destroying the built ( and sometimes listed ) environment.
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Daisy Roots
Monday, March 14, 2011
Well said Owllady. Too many people always expect others to do something about things they find offensive and then complain about nothing being done. It is our city and we only get what we deserve
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Norwich lad
Monday, March 14, 2011
Norwich Lad is right. Report those who you see carrying out graffiti and any graffiti which you see. You can complain as much as you like about graffiti being in place but unless you actively report it nothing will be done. Dont assume that someone else will have reported it for you.
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owllady
Monday, March 14, 2011
Norwich Lad is right. Report those who you see carrying out graffiti and any graffiti which you see. You can complain as much as you like about graffiti being in place but unless you actively report it nothing will be done. Dont assume that someone else will have reported it for you.
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owllady
Monday, March 14, 2011
These graffiti artists need a good talking-to.
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Disgusted of Norwich South
Monday, March 14, 2011
I really do hope they catch this 'shook' person, they have placed their tag everywhere, seen it up Thorpe St Andrew, City Centre and Riverside. Even on the sides of lorrys
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Martin P
Monday, March 14, 2011
Graffitti is pure vandalism,and there is one charcter whose so called "tag" is "Shook "which is seen all over Norwich,this person shouldnt be hard to find,but if as in the case of Flyposting the The Comunity Police support Officers are not interested,[low level crime etc].as I apprehended a team of illegal fly posting,with posters being dropped through the gap at the door top,I reported this immediately,and got no response,this after Id had foul verbal .It isnt difficult to catch fly posters as there is always a venue and contact details printed.If you hire Norwich Art Centre its part of the hire agreement that fly posting to promote the event is not allowed
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Albert Cooper
Monday, March 14, 2011
I wonder if these so called artists would like to see the front of their homes covered in graffiti - I doubt it. So why should we tolerate public spaces being covered in paint which in most cases certainly cannot be considered as art. Report graffiti and the people who are doing it please.
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Norwich lad
Monday, March 14, 2011
Steve Morphew, out with his book of excuses again. Hurry up and go. People have been complaining about this for years, but all the council seems to do is clear up the mess, when it feels like it that is, but does nothing much to catch those who have nothing better to do.
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COLD
Monday, March 14, 2011