Derry Mayor calls time on graffiti scourge

The Mayor of Derry has given her support to an anti-graffiti initiative as part of the City’s 'Spring Clean' campaign.

Cllr Kathleen McCloskey said she hoped the initiative, which is being promoted by Derry City Council and the North West Development Office, would rid the city of this "unsightly" act.

Joining an anti-graffiti team on the City Walls, she urged local people to be aware of the costs and consequences of graffiti.

“Derry City council spends an average of £5,000 per year on graffiti removal and has the responsibility to keep the benches and city furniture on the walls, along with other public areas, in good appearance," she said.

"It is an ongoing task to remove graffiti from these areas and it is important that the public continue to support our efforts to discourage behaviour that causes graffiti.

"Graffiti is not only unsightly but can be sectarian in nature. This is not the image that we want to present of our city."

In addition to the £5,000 spent annually by Derry City Council, a major clean-up was undertaken in July last year to remove graffiti from the fabric of the city’s walls at the cost of £9,000.

“Although we do not have the authority to clear graffiti from the actual city walls we do make daily efforts to clean and clear those areas that we have access to.

"This is an important issue, particularly in the run up to the tourist season, when many people will be visiting the city and I would call again on the public, communities and businesses to support our efforts in keeping the city looking presentable for everyone to enjoy," the Mayor concluded.

(MB)