Rushall Walsall
West Midlands
Staffordshire

Your on-line web guide to Rushall Walsall

Free graffiti removal service from Rushall area private properties by walsall council. A new initiative to remove graffiti without charge from privately owned residential properties has been launched by Walsall Council's Street Pride team subject to the owners signing disclaimers. Graffiti is one of the issues being targeted by the council as part of the Wipe It Out section of its ongoing Cracking Environmental Crime campaign. Between January and December 2009 180 reports were received of graffiti and 198 removals took place. Previously the Street Pride team was only able to remove graffiti for free from publicly owned land, street furniture and buildings. It is hoped the new approach will help improve the overall appearance of Walsall borough and encourage more people to report graffiti. The scheme will initially run on a six month trial basis upto approx December 2010 and if successful could be made permanent. Andy Ody, Street Pride Grounds Manager, said: "Traditionally people tend not to report graffiti and instead just accept it as part of the street scene. "Probably the one area which causes real concern to people is graffiti appearing on private properties. In the past we have been able to remove this but only at a charge. Service standards set by the council relating to publicly owned land, street furniture and buildings outline racist and offensive graffiti will be removed within 24 hours and the remainder as quickly as possible. Graffiti in parks will often by removed by park rangers with the more difficult cases referred on to Street Pride. On the spot fines of £80 can be handed out to anyone caught spraying graffiti. If a prosecution is pursued through the courts, the maximum punishment available is a 10 year prison sentence if the case is sent to crown court. Graffiti can be reported to Walsall Council on 01922 653344 or by e-mailing streetprideemail@walsall.gov.uk

Thursday 20 may 2010, An Evening of Meditation and Relaxation, suitable for beginners, 7.30 to 9 at Rushall Community Centre, Springfields, Rushall WS4 1JT. contact Michelle at Bliss Yoga and Relaxation, www.blissyoga.org.uk 0791 015 8275 or blissyoga@ymail.com

In order to the resolve the issues surrounding the area to the rear of Queen Road Shops, Rushall, a crime and Anti-social behaviour prevention initiative was organised. During February 2010 the Community Payback teams were on hand clearing out and cleaning up the rear of the shops. New fencing has been erected along the side of the shops and litter, glass and debris has been removed from the site. Working alongside the Shelfield and Rushall Neighbourhood police team were partner agency representatives from the Anti-Social Behaviour unit, LNP, Walsall Housing Group, and local Councillor Ron Carpenter. Acting Sergeant Harvy Rai, said:' This area has been causing concern to the residents of Rushall. It has been attracting anti-social behaviour and crime, but has been the perfect project for the community payback team and is an excellent example of what can be achieved from partnership working'