Spiky plants are a prickly problem for Warwick’s vandals
Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police and the Probation Service are working together to prevent graffiti and criminal damage across Warwickshire.
Earlier this year, Warwickshire County Council successfully applied for funding from the Government Office of the West Midlands (GOWM) to buy prickly plants and anti-vandal paint.
As a result, in Warwick District one thousand sharp-edged plants and £500 worth of anti-vandal paint have been provided.
To identify potential areas that would benefit from the plants and paint, areas that have suffered graffiti and damage in the past were highlighted. Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) also sought out locations that would benefit from this initiative.
As a result, Warwickshire Probation service organised offenders who were serving community payback orders to plant the spiky vegetation, and paint walls and fences in relevant areas such as Myton Road in Warwick, Leamington town centre and Hatton Park.
Over the past few weeks, the prickly plants have been strategically planted to deter people from trying to get near to previously damaged sites. The paint, which congeals and disperses felt tip pen marks and spray paint, is currently being used to prevent further graffiti.
Speaking of the initiative, Julie Sullivan, Corporate Community Safety Manager for Warwickshire County Council said: "Graffiti, vandalism and damage to property affects us all, the environment in which we live and work, it costs us all money and makes us feel threatened.
“If together we can improve the environment, reduce the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour and also help offenders to break out of the cycle of offending, then we all benefit!"
PCSO Paul Collett from Warwickshire Police said: "This is a great example of partnership working, where the Council, Police, and Probation have worked together to achieve a common goal.
“I was also very impressed with the residents of Hatton Park who volunteered to paint over the graffiti that had been daubed in their area. All in all, a great community effort."