New graffiti removal task force

The council wants to create a "clean sheet" in neighbourhoods

A year-long blitz on graffiti in a Berkshire town has been joined by a new three-van team of power-jet cleaners.

Reading Borough Council has committed to cleaning up long-standing graffiti from the town's walls.

The three new vans, launched on Tuesday, join two others already using high-power water jets to remove spray paint from the streets.

The vans and staff will cost £20,000. The council said in total £185,000 had been set aside for graffiti removal.

Reading council said the new staff employed to operate the vans would receive NVQ training from professional graffiti removal specialists.

The council said that according to the latest figures, 22% of the streets and public places inspected in Reading were seriously hit by graffiti and the trend seems to be getting worse.

The year-long purge will be followed by initiatives to prevent graffiti being sprayed on the walls in the first place.

These include using offenders to help with removal projects.