The genuine expense to the Coventry taxpayer for removing ‘terrible’ graffiti tags.

Taxpayers in Coventry have spent thousands of pounds on the extensive removal of ‘distasteful’ graffiti tags. Various phrases, including ‘Smile’ and ’10 Foot’, have been sprayed across the city, prompting cleanup costs exceeding £14,000.

Residents have expressed frustration over the prevalence of ‘unsightly’ graffiti in Coventry, with ‘Smile’ appearing on buildings in neighborhoods like Bell Green, Tile Hill, and Spon End. Coventry City Council’s Streetpride team is responsible for graffiti removal, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the city’s cleanliness and appeal.

Local councilors have urged West Midlands Police to take decisive action against graffiti, likening the situation to an ongoing challenge. Data obtained by CoventryLive reveals that over the past five years, approximately £14,305 has been allocated to eradicate tags such as ’10 Foot’ and ‘Smile.’ These expenses cover staffing, vehicle operation, fuel, materials, and replacement of equipment like high-pressure hoses.

Specifically, Coventry City Council has spent around £2,292 on paint and a substantial £10,773 on graffiti removal products. An additional £1,242 has been invested in replacing high-pressure hoses used for cleaning graffiti from walls and buildings across the city.

In addition to operational costs, Coventry City Council employs a Specialist Cleansing Operative, with an annual salary ranging from £23,893 to £27,334. The yearly expenditure for running the dedicated vehicle utilized for graffiti removal is approximately £14,500.

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council highlighted the challenge of graffiti removal amidst significant financial constraints faced by the council, emphasizing the additional strain it places on resources.