THE public has given a mixed response to the idea of providing graffiti galleries to reduce vandalism on public property.

Several people surveyed by the Courier believe the idea had merits but they were also concerned about which areas would be provided for graffiti art.

Research by GraffitiHotline, a specialist graffiti control service, suggests that giving “artists” a designated wall or area to decorate would stop them from attacking public areas and improve the quality of the artwork.

Christopher Thomas, 22, formerly of Halifax, was a member of a gang who filmed themselves spraying graffiti on trains and tracksides across the UK.

He was spared jail by a judge after being offered a job on the railways and is now a freelance graphic artist receiving regular commissions.

The GraffitiHotline survey on the uses of community art projects and murals to control vandalism quizzed local council graffiti officers, councillors, community police, residents’ groups and art project co-ordinators.

Most respondents disliked graffiti, calling it aggressive and criminal and seeing no artistic merit. People were concerned about visitors’ reactions and the impact on house prices.

But community police showed some sympathy for vandals, realising there could be great talent in the illegal practice.

GraffitiHotline estimates 99 per cent of graffiti on the street is scribbled tags with only 1 per cent showing any artistic merit. Areas hidden from public view tend to have more “good” vandalism because artists spend more time on the work without fear of being caught.

Tony Parkes, director of GraffitiHotline, said: “The results of our survey beg the thought: ‘If graffiti became legal in designated areas, illegal graffiti might reduce’.

“By allowing time to create a piece of work the quality increases dramatically.”

They suggested subways be used as well as public areas without regular access, which could be repeatedly repainted with white paint and re-used.

megan.featherstone@halifaxcourier.co.uk