Blitz to clean away Burnley graffiti

10:30pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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GRAFFITI hotspots are being targeted during a four-day operation to clean-up Burnley.

Work removing graffiti, cleaning up litter and pruning back shrubbery started on Monday and is being carried out by the probation service and youth offending team.

They are concentrating their efforts in a number of problem areas, including Brunshaw, Stoneyholme and Daneshouse and Gannow areas.

And students from Sir John Thursby College, Eastern Avenue, spent today cleaning up graffiti from around the school.

The campaign is being run by the Multi Agency Problem Solving (MAPS) team working with the Community Safety Partnership and Burnley Council, with funding from Burnley Safer Neighbourhoods fund and the Home Office.

PC George Holding said: "We were provided with a graffiti busting bus which has power-washers and specialist graffiti removing solutions, back in October.

"But we have only just been given the thousands of pounds of funding we needed to staff and run the bus. About 15 to 20 people from the probation service and youth offending teams are taking part in the clean up each day.

"So far the response from residents has been fantastic, with them commenting that it has helped improve the appearance of the area. And some of the young offenders have said that they have really enjoyed the work which may give them some direction for future employment. This week is really a pilot week for the campaign and if this week carries on being successful we will be repeating the clean-ups throughout the year."

Students from Sir John Thursby College have also decided to try their hand at graffiti busting and have asked the MAPS team to give them a helping hand getting the school into shape.

PC Holding added: "Children from the school have shown that they really take pride in their school.

"It was their idea to remove the graffiti from problem areas in the school.

"And hopefully it will have a positive effect on the children's perception of graffiti in the community."