 Unsightly graffiti has been spotted across the Kent town |
A newly-elected MP in Kent is so concerned about the issue of graffiti in his constituency that he has raised the issue with the borough council. Conservative MP Greg Clarke has expressed dismay over the unsightly graffiti in Tunbridge Wells.
"It is a lovely place but seeing a load of graffiti on the wall takes the edge off it," he said.
Council leader Melvyn Howell said the issue of dealing with graffiti and related problems was ongoing.
Mr Clarke, who took over from Archie Norman in Tunbridge Wells in the May general election, told BBC Radio Kent that graffiti was on the rise and had to be tackled.
"The council has a role in clearing it up very quickly so people don't have the satisfaction when they're spraying a wall of seeing it up there for weeks on end."
The MP, who said he had also spoken to the police, pointed out that once graffiti appeared, people immediately thought it was in a "dodgy area" where they could abandon cars and drop litter.
"It's no great criticism of any particular body - it is just a rallying call to say let's all get together and tackle it," he said.
Abandoned trolleys
The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said he welcomed Mr Clarke's involvement in the issue, but efforts were only of value if effective.
Melvyn Howell said graffiti had to be dealt with alongside many linked issues, which included litter, noise, abandoned supermarket trolleys and anti-social behaviour.
"This requires not only a joined up approach from the borough council but also extends to a number of external partners including West Kent Police and also needs the active involvement of our community," he said.
He explained that the problem was exacerbated by the fact that a lot of graffiti occurred on property not in the borough's ownership, so the permission of the owner was required before it could be removed.
"We need to build an arrangement so that the graffiti can be removed under a comprehensive agreement allowing us access," Mr Howell said.
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It's no great criticism of any particular body - it is just a rallying call to say let's all get together and tackle it
