Written by Tom Geoghegan, and published on the This Is Croydon site at http://www.thisiscroydon.co.uk/

Graffiti-busters are being encouraged to follow the example set by Selhurst residents who have launched an innovative new scheme to keep their streets clean.

About 25 people from Holmesdale Residents Association blitzed a square kilometre around Crystal Palace FC on July 14, to pave the way for their Adopt A Wall project. Under the scheme, residents will monitor a part of their street and are responsible for keeping it tag-free by cleaning or painting over it, paid out of association subscriptions. Association secretary Paul Hope came up with the idea last year for Newhaven Road, Selhurst, so this time it was enlarged to the wider area.

He was very pleased how the initial clean-up went last week. Croydon Council supplied cleaning material and protective clothing and the clean-up was supported by the police and CPFC. He said: "We had such a dedicated team that still turned out despite the rain. "It was amazing and I want to thank all those who helped on the day. It was fun."

John Bownas, Smarter Croydon co-ordinator for the council, is hoping that other residents follow suit. "We're hoping it will roll out around the borough. It's about neighbourhoods having that will to do something for themselves and keep their neck of the woods in order. "Obviously there are big jobs when we will have to be called but we can provide materials whenever we can." Chairman Liz Hills, of Holmesdale Road, who took part in the clean-up, said: "The football club is covered in graffiti and I live opposite and see it every day and it really annoys me. "A lot of properties are getting hit and it's getting worse and worse."

July 25, 2001 17:32