In response to increasing amounts of graffiti in the borough, key organisations and landowners met in Solihull last week for the first Solihull Graffiti Summit. The aim of the summit was to look at creative ways to tackle the problem and agree a collaborative approach.
Cllr Ken Hawkins, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “I called the Graffiti Summit after witnessing first hand increasing levels of graffiti in my own ward. Last year, businesses and residents worked with local artists and the Council to create an art trail in Shirley. Not only has this brought some colour to the High Street, but it has also acted as a deterrent to graffiti on utility boxes.
“The Summit is a first step towards forging a positive and creative partnership to tackle graffiti with key organisations and landowners affected by the problem. Despite last week’s appalling weather, it was well attended and everyone committed to working together on this issue.”
The Graffiti Summit was attended by the Canal and River Trust, Network Rail, Solihull Community Housing, Solihull Council, Travel for West Midlands, Veolia (Solihull Council’s environmental partners), Virgin Media and West Midlands Police. Work will continue throughout the year and there will be opportunities for residents and businesses to get involved in tackling the issue.