Edinburgh Council rejects graffiti task force proposal

Councillor Callum Laidlaw. Picture: Michael Glen

Conservative councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar, Callum Laidlaw, had asked councillors to set up the task-force to tackle growing graffiti problem on council property.

His motion was supported by the Lib Dem group yesterday.

Cllr Laidlaw said the issues included tagging, signatures and symbols deemed offensive.

He said the graffiti had led to an “air of neglect” and a “culture of permission”.

Cllr Laidlaw had called for the set-up of a special graffiti task-force in partnership with the police and community organisations.

Cllr Laidlaw said “The police do, undoubtedly, have more serious crimes to deal with, so I’d like to see the Council Officers work with police to act as eyes and ears and to work with communities to understand where trouble-spots are and ensure they are tackled.”

“The Council should look not only at the issue but its causes and possible prevention.

“I accept we are not going to solve the situation overnight and indeed we are unlikely to ever completely defeat the issue but I don’t accept that that is a reason to give up.

“The administration seeks simply to accept the status quo and kick it into the long grass, something, which per my previous campaign to tackle weeds, I think the Council does far too often.”