Residents on Leeds estate to shop graffiti vandals » Local Government » 24dash.com

Residents on the Queenswood Estate in north west Leeds are being asked to shop the graffiti vandals who are blighting their neighbourhood.

Leaflets are being posted through every letterbox morning with photographs of the tags of the 12 worst offenders, and information on how to report the offenders to the authorities.

The leaflets also include a sample bill for cleaning up the mess, with the warning that  Leeds City Council will charge the perpetrators of vandalism or their parents.

Councillor Les Carter, executive board member responsible for neighbourhoods and housing said: “The mess that graffiti vandals have made in parts of the Queenswood estate is shocking and unacceptable.

“This initiative will be a wonderful opportunity for local people to take action against the people blighting their neighbourhood and is part of a wider drive to improve conditions for everyone on the estate.

“It is also a warning to the vandals and their parents – we are watching you, we will catch you, and we will make you pay for the damage you have caused!”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police added: “This is a real team effort and we are working closely with our partners to wipe out the problem of graffiti in the Queenswood area. People need to understand the damage that they can cause.

“Areas that are covered in graffiti are intimidating and give the impression that they are run down. We are wanting to target these areas and the people who are making them a mess. This initiative gives the residents of Queenswood the opportunity to tackle this issue and to make the area where they live look more attractive.

“The Queenswood Drive area in Headingley has suffered from nuisance youths, anti social behaviour and graffiti damage in recent months. Graffiti is emblazoned all over the parade of shops, bus shelters and phone boxes.

The graffiti and the youth nuisance are detracting from what is a popular and desirable residential area.

This new initiative seeks to improve community safety and encourage local residents to feel confident about reporting problems that concern them.”

The exercise will also help gather evidence to support civil enforcement whether it be ASBOs, warnings, ABCs, tenancy enforcement or a combination of measures.

Leeds City Council and Leeds North West Homes also have plans to improve lighting and security in the area of the parade of shops in the near future.