Local Lib Dem councillors have welcomed the announcement by Haringey Council that it is to answer calls to step up the fight against graffiti in the borough. However, they have added a note of caution that they will be watching closely to see if the Council can deliver on its new pledges.

The move came at a ‘graffiti summit’ held at the Civic Centre on Thursday, attended by local councillors and representatives of the borough’s residents’ associations.

As well as running a five-month ‘blitz’ on graffiti, the Council has also agreed that from December, it will undertake to remove graffiti within 28 days of sightings being reported to the Council. A new ‘hotline’ has been set up, on 0845 673 1979, for residents to report incidents. Local Lib Dem councillors, who made the fight a key part of their election manifesto last year, are urging all residents to participate.

Lib Dem councillor and Environment Spokesperson, Susan Oatway, comments:

“I am pleased that Haringey has now recognised the scale of the problem, particularly in the west of the borough. Being soft on graffiti is a false economy, and just encourages other crimes, such as vandalism and dumping. >From a borough that had one of the lowest budgets for graffiti in London, this is a step in the right direction.”

Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate) who has pushed the council hard on the issue, and has given help and backing to Highgate residents who paid for their own graffiti clean up after the council failed to act, adds:

“It’s a positive and long-awaited move for which we have campaigned hard. However, we will want to see that the council has given the scheme the necessary muscle to make it work. Haringey was often far too slow at removing graffiti from its own property under its existing, rather low-key policies. However, this new plan deserves a fair wind, and it is vital that residents participate fully.”