Northern Ireland

Resident calls for action over graffiti in Stranmillis area of south Belfast

A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore.
A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore. A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore.
By Allan Preston

A long-time Stranmillis resident has called for action to scrub out growing levels of graffiti in Belfast.

Phil Convery (60) said the constant sight of spray paint on phone boxes, walls and kerbs had become a depressing sight.

While incidents of sectarian and racist graffiti remain a serious problem, Mr Convery said that generic forms of graffiti were vandals repeatedly spray paint their individual tags had also become a nuisance.

"I don't think it's unique to our area, but it certainly has annoyed a lot of people living here," he told the Irish News.

"We had some friends over from America recently, and it was the first thing they commented on.

"In some cases graffiti can be positive, one person's graffiti is another person's mural or tourist attraction. But I think what we're talking about here is purely vandalism."

Complaints have been made about the growing levels of graffiti
Complaints have been made about the growing levels of graffiti Complaints have been made about the growing levels of graffiti

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown has often raised the issue of graffiti with the PSNI.

"It is criminal damage, so we will work with the police to identify those responsible where appropriate. But I do think the council needs to more on it," he said.

"Over the last couple of years I've been working to encourage a joint up approach, with utility box owners for example. They have the ultimate responsibility to maintain them.

"There should be a single point of contact to report graffiti, where there's a memorandum of understanding for utility box owners to remove it within a fixed period."

A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "It’s very disappointing to see this destruction of property, however maintenance of utility boxes is the responsibility of the service provider. We regularly respond to reports of graffiti and take action to remove it. We encourage people to continue to report graffiti online at www.belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0230.

A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore.
A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore. A long-time Stranmillis resident has said growing levels of graffiti have become an eyesore.

"We seek to resolve all service requests within five working days. Where the graffiti is on a property, the owner of the property is responsible for its removal.

"If it is a Housing Association or Northern Ireland Housing Executive property, please contact your local housing office to arrange removal.”