Graffiti Wiped Clean: What’s Behind the Fresh Look in Penzance?

Paint rollers, partnerships and a plan to clean up the town

A targeted effort to remove graffiti in Penzance is underway, thanks to a collaboration between local organisations and the Probation Service. So far, nine sites have already been repainted across key areas in the town centre, including Bread Street, Market Jew Street and Causewayhead.

The work is being carried out under the Probation Service’s Community Payback scheme, which sees offenders undertake community-based work as part of their sentence. Businesses affected by graffiti have given their consent for their buildings to be included in the scheme.

The project is a joint effort by members of the Safer Penzance Partnership, which includes Cornwall Council, Safer Cornwall, Penzance BID, the National Probation Service and Penzance Council.

‘A great result for Penzance’

Penzance BID manager Sarah Shaw said:
“This is such a great example of what can happen when partnerships from across-the-board work together. Penzance BID was delighted to be part of bringing this project to fruition and would like to thank all involved in this. What a great result for Penzance, it really is making a difference.”

Community Payback Operations Manager for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly added:
“Community Payback requires offenders to carry out demanding work that restores public spaces and supports valued projects like this. Community Payback reduces reoffending, teaches life skills, and makes our communities safer.”

Backed by local funding

The project got its start thanks to £1,000 in funding from Cornwall Councillor Tim Dwelly, who used his Community Chest budget to help launch the effort.

“I’ve pushed for this project for years, but it was always a complex one to set up,” said Tim. “I am delighted it’s happening and that Penzance Council, Penzance BID and Probation Service are now looking to make it a mainstream ongoing activity. Nine key sites in the town centre have had graffiti removed and a number are still to come, including the well-known ‘white wall’ which is far from white now with all the graffiti on it! We are all also working together to explore sites for possible artwork. All in all it was well worth using £1,000 of my community chest grant last year to kick start all this.”

How to report graffiti

If you’re a local business owner and want graffiti removed from your building, you can contact Penzance Council directly. The council has already agreed to allocate future funding to support the work being done by the National Probation Service.

For graffiti on public land owned by Cornwall Council, you can report it via the Cornwall Council website.

Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds praised the effort:
“By addressing the problem of graffiti in our town, this fantastic new initiative from the Safer Penzance Partnership not only benefits residents, business owners and visitors, but also highlights the positive work achieved by the Probation Service’s Community Payback scheme. Penzance Council is proud to support the ongoing success of this collaborative project and appreciates the hard work of everyone involved.”