Local Lib Dems launch pledge to tackle graffiti plague

11.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Apr 2008

Frank Taylor has made tackling graffiti a priority.

Local Liberal Democrats are pledging action to tackle an unacceptable increase in graffiti across Sheffield. Launching their pledge in Gleadless Valley, Lib Dems have vowed to work with the police, local business and local residents to crack down on those causing criminal damage in our neighbourhoods.

Lib Dems launched their graffiti pledge in Gleadless Valley Ward, a key election battleground and one of several areas across Sheffield that has seen a huge increase in graffiti in recent times. The local Lib Dem candidate Frank Taylor has made tackling the problem a priority.

If the Lib Dems win power in May they will hold a 'Graffiti Summit' involving all local stakeholders such as the police, local businesses and local people. The 'Graffiti Summit' will be tasked with coming up with a new long term strategy to provide solutions.

Frank out reporting graffiti to the Council

Key issues that would be addressed would include looking at the speed of the Council in removing graffiti, arrangements for cleaning of private property and how the handful of people causing the problem can be caught and made to clean up their own criminal damage.

Frank Taylor, Liberal Democrat candidate for Gleadless Valley Ward, said: -

"People in Gleadless Valley tell me that they have never seen so much graffiti. They feel neglected by the local Council who don't clean the mess up quickly and who are clearly not getting to the root of the problem."

"We need to look at all the issues and come up with long term solutions rather than knee-jerk reactions. Therefore I'm sure that people in my area, and across Sheffield, will welcome our pledge."

Cllr David Baker, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: -

"Across Sheffield many local people are fed up with graffiti in their area. It makes our local streets and neighbourhoods look tatty and run down, it is nothing more than criminal damage."

"We believe that this growing problem is a result of a failing Labour Council. If elected to power in May we would work with the Police and local businesses and residents to come up with a long term strategy that gets to the root of the problem effectively."

"If local people want a Council that is committed to improving their neighbourhood, no matter where they live, they should vote Lib Dem on of May 1st."