'Graffiti-covered city' fears spark council motion

Civic chiefs want to crack down on the issue

The council is reviewing how it deals with removal of graffiti on public and private buildings.

Gloucester City Council has backed a motion by Liberal Democrat group leader, Jeremy Hilton, who wishes to reassess the policy on acts of vandalism.

There are fears that Gloucester could end up looking like a "graffiti-covered South American" city, which prompted the review.

Mr Hilton said: "It’s happening all over Gloucester and people’s homes have been scarred by this wanton vandalism."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he also added that the council needs a “graffiti busting team” to target it properly.

Mr Hilton told the council of numerous recent incidents of tagging at places such as the Farmer’s Club, at St Oswalds Priory and Greyfriars.

Tagging is the repeated use of a single symbol or series of symbols to mark territory.

The council also agreed to improve its connections with key stakeholders to catch and prosecute offenders in better time.