Writing on the wall for box vandalism

Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) is trying to get all the vandalised green cable boxes in his ward repainted to cover up graffiti.

"Removing graffiti means residents feel more secure and it really makes a different to people's lives," he said.

"It's an easy job to do but the impact is obvious."

Last week the Government launched its Respect action plan that aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve quality of life, with graffiti among the issues on the agenda.

Prime Minister Tony Blair got his hands dirty when he went out and cleaned up graffiti in Swindon.

Coun Middleton added: "Over the last year I have ensured work was done on about 32 cable boxes and there are very few that need doing now."

He has engaged the help of Bradford Council to help him with his mission.

"At first the Council's anti-graffiti department was brilliant at responding to repainting the cable boxes, however requests put in during the autumn have not been actioned," he said.

He is now raising the issue at a full Council meeting.

"The Council doesn't have to fund the paint - it is paid for by Telewest - so there is no excuse for it not to be done," he

commented.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We have removed graffiti on cable boxes in the Bolton Road area three times in 2005 and again this week.

''It is a problem and a problem that keeps being repeated."

Coun Middleton said: "Once you do them they tend not to get vandalised again but if you leave them with graffiti it continues to build up.

"A lot of people are doing voluntary work in that area trying to make a difference and this repainting of cable boxes complements it."

Coun Middleton has urged other people to join his campaign.

"Every street has a cable box and if they are covered in

graffiti they look awful," he commented.

"A simple phone call or e-mail to the Council's anti-graffiti department is all it takes."