Cllr Holloway cleaning graffiti in Sandwich
Dover District Council’s Waste and Community Services teams, alongside District councillors and partner agencies came together last week to clean up Sandwich town.
Sandwich is the oldest medieval town in the country and its residents are rightly proud of their beautiful town and its open spaces.
Graffiti, which includes writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place, is starting to increase and the council is determined to stamp it out.
Local resident, Cllr MJ Holloway, was part of the clean-up operation. He is a member of the council’s Community Caretaker Scheme, made up of volunteers who give up their spare time to help the community using equipment from local ‘community stores’ provided by Dover District Council.
Cllr Holloway said: “Graffiti is anti-social behaviour and has no place in Sandwich, it’s a blot on the landscape of our well-preserved town. As well as a councillor who represents local residents’ interests, I am also a Community Caretaker. I am happy to give up some free time to keep our local area looking its best for our residents and visitors and would encourage other locals who feel the same to join the scheme.
“The quick removal of graffiti tags frustrates the perpetrators, sends a strong message it's not tolerated in the District, and gives the authorities another chance of identifying the vandals should they seek to reinstate.
“The District's towns, villages and countryside are beautiful - we want to keep it that way and for the District to look its best."
Together with members of the Waste team and DDC’s waste contractor VEOLIA, anti-graffiti cleaning products were used to bring the town back to its glorious best.
Community Caretakers can help with anything which helps the local community, including litter picking, painting, planting, sweeping, repairs and clearing snow. They have access to the community store which is a local unit holding tools, materials, equipment and protective clothing. To find out more visit our website Community Caretaker Scheme
If you would like to report any graffiti in the district, please complete this form
Posted on 29 June 2020