Hotline to support crackdown on graffiti

Published on Tuesday 10 June 2008 10:22

A "ZERO-TOLERANCE" crackdown on graffiti has been launched in Livingston.

The West Lothian Council project aims to highlight the problem of graffiti, and urges residents to report incidents to a freephone number.

Police and council officials are involved in the project, which will also include visits to schools and community groups to explain the negative impact graffiti can have on a community.

The campaign will initially run for three weeks, in areas of Craigshill and Ladywell, after which it will be assessed to see whether it could be run in wider areas of the county.

Once incidents are reported, the council will arrange the removal of the graffiti, when possible within 24 hours of being notified.

Council leader Peter Johnston, said: "This campaign will emphasise that the council and local people will not tolerate graffiti blighting communities in West Lothian.

"Our key themes are education, enforcement and removal and we are confident a real, long-term difference can be achieved.

"For some, graffiti is art, but for many people, it is nothing but an unsightly stain on neighbourhoods."

Residents who spot graffiti can report incidents to 0800-616 44.