A week of action to remove graffiti will take place from April 13 across Hart and Rushmoor in a bid to make the local environment better for everyone.

The Safer North Hampshire* community safety team pledge to clear as much graffiti as possible, but need local people to report pieces of graffiti for removal.

Graffiti Focus Week is a bi-annual event in which awareness of the issues of graffiti is raised through education, including talks in schools, and the negative effects that graffiti can have on communities and neighbourhoods are highlighted. As much graffiti is removed as possible.

This is a highly visible initiative, which improves the local environment and helps to improve perceptions of the local area.

To report graffiti, visit www.safernh.co.uk, and click on “Graffiti Focus Week’ in the ‘projects’ tab. The site will also be updated with “most wanted” posters.

As well as graffiti removal, there will also be graffiti-prevention and vandalism-prevention education in schools, “most wanted” tag posters and patrols of graffiti hot-spot areas by enforcement officers. This project helps to ensure that graffiti is removed as quickly as possible, helping to provide a sense of pride and ownership.

David Lipscombe, Community Safety Projects Team Leader for Safer North Hampshire, said: “This initiative assists the environment and perceptions of the neighbourhood. There has been a big reduction in graffiti reports in the last year and this is partly thanks to the partnership ‘nipping in the bud’ any graffiti spread.”

Adhering to the following tips may reduce the likelihood of graffiti on a wall or a fence:

·Plant climbing shrubs on exposed brick walls

·Plant hedges in front of wooden fences

·Install security lighting

·Report any graffiti by calling 101