Community mural aims to instil 'sense of pride'

The community project was organised after incidences of anti-social behaviour nearby

A new community mural designed to combat anti-social behaviour in Surrey has been unveiled.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has led on a partnership project to open a new mural in Ewell East tunnel after receiving funding from Surrey police and crime commissioner Lisa Townsend.

North East Surrey College of Technology students helped to paint the mural, as well as Positive Arts, which has worked on all the previous murals in the borough.

Councillor Shanice Goldman, chair of the crime and disorder committee, said the mural rejuvenated an "unloved, run-down part of the borough".

The mural itself features key elements from the college's 70-year history, including images from old prospectus covers, the frieze from the original entrance and local flora and fauna.

According to Townsend, the footpath between Nescot and Ewell East railway station had been "highlighted by residents as a location of concern".

Townsend added: "The beautiful mural aims to reclaim this public space, which is used by both students and residents.

"Improvements to lighting, police patrols and additional private security will also bolster community safety and crime prevention in the area."

Goldman said she hoped that the mural would have the same positive impact as others commissioned by the council over the last year, around which anti-social behaviour had gone down.

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