Teamwork through the Safer Langley project

A partnership project has helped make a real difference to a graffiti problem in Langley.

As part of the Safer Langley project, graffiti was identified as a priority issue by Langley Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), with persistent tags appearing across the area.

Members of the NAG have worked with the council’s community safety team to log the locations of graffiti, of which there were more than 100, identifying ownership and getting graffiti cleaned off.

The probation service has provided community payback workers to help with graffiti removal and environmental improvements over the last few months. They have removed graffiti from play equipment, outdoor gym equipment, bollards and park signage in Harvey Park and Kedermister Park.

They have also done litter picking, weeding, leaf sweeping, and vegetation clearance. They now carry out two sessions a month at Kedermister Park.  

Plans are also being made for community payback works along the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, including Bowyer Recreation Ground and Bloom Park. 

Council teams and Cardo have been clearing off graffiti in council-owned areas, including Harvey Park, Kedermister Park and Langley Pavilion.

The community safety team has issued 24 Section 81 notices in recent months, requiring utility companies to clean graffiti off their cabinets.

The council’s community safety team was awarded £20,000 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is helping to fund some of these activities.

Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for public protection, said: “Well done to everyone involved. Graffiti has been such an issue for Langley, so this is a huge amount of effort from all involved. It’s been great to have the community payback workers helping.

“We know there is always more to do, and we are unable to remove every single piece of graffiti, but it does help to have the worst cases reported, so we can take action.

“We are pleased it has made an impact. It’s a real team effort, and if private businesses also clear graffiti from their sites, it will improve the look of the whole area.”

Safer Langley has been shortlisted for a national award for community involvement at the LGC awards, which recognise excellence across local government.

Councillor Ahmed said: “Safer Langley is a great example of what can happen when the council, partners and communities work together towards the same goals. It’s brilliant this work has been recognised by the judges, and we look forward to hearing the results of this later in the year.”

A Safer Cippenham project is being launched, where it is hoped the same level of success can be achieved.

There will be opportunities for the community to get involved, which is essential to the project’s success.

The official launch of Safer Cippenham will be at the Cippenham Community Action Day on Friday 10 April at Cippenham School, from 11am-3pm.

There will be a silent disco, virtual reality headset games, colouring, hair braiding, temporary tattoos, climbing wall, bouncy castle, Pilates, music from a DJ, football, boxing, food stalls and more. All are welcome.