Unsightly graffiti in the city centre shopping area is to be wiped off as the second phase of Plymouth City Council's Zap It! campaign gets underway.

City centre retailers are being encouraged to report illegal graffiti to the Council so it can keep the area clean. Members of the public are also being asked to alert the Council to trouble spots.

The Home Office has recently awarded £30,000 to the Plymouth Community Safety Partnership for its Graffiti Action Plan. The money is being used in a three month trial which aims to educate youngsters as well as clean problem areas.

Part two of the Zap It! campaign targets illegal graffiti and follows on from last year's successful launch of the drive, which virtually eradicated fly posting from parts of the city centre.

A raft of measures is being introduced. The city centre is being monitored daily for signs of vandalism and the Council aims to clean up graffiti within 48 hours of it being reported.

Subway walls outside the city centre are now being monitored weekly and public toilets checked daily. People can contact the graffiti enquiry line on 304750 or email streetservices@plymouth.gov.uk.

As well as cleaning up, the campaign has a longer term aim of educating young people about the damage illegal graffiti causes the local community.

The partnership is looking at suitable sites where young artists can create distinctive and striking street art - without causing a problem. This could be on temporary hoardings, a designated wall or as art exhibitions, to provide spaces for the display of this vibrant art form to add colour to the city.

Plymouth City Council is currently working with youth groups across Plymouth to give youngsters an outlet in neighbourhoods such as Stonehouse and Trelawney. The Council is also working with the Writers' Bench, the graffiti group, to organise workshops with youngsters to encourage them to be more responsible.

Steps are also being taken to combat the problem through the legal system. This could include using acceptable behaviour contracts to clamp down on persistent offenders, using CCTV footage to gather evidence as well as analysing tags to track down the illegal street scribblers.

The plan needs involvement from a wide section of the community if it is to be successful and residents, the police, youth groups and the business community need to work with Plymouth City Council to make it happen.

Councillor George Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Street Services, said: 'We listened to what people in Plymouth have told us they want and it was clear that they wanted cleaner and safer streets to be a high priority.

'Graffiti increases fear of crime, spoils the environment, as well as increases insurance and security costs. It also puts businesses off investing and creating jobs here.

'We are trying to create a city where people want to live and visit and unsightly graffiti is a real blot on our landscape.'

It is hoped the three month trial will lead to further funding.

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