A car park stairwell in Grimsby town centre has been transformed by young people from the local area as part of a project by North East Lincolnshire Council and local artist, Lynsey Powles, to try to tackle graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
Abbey Walk multistorey car park in Grimsby has been the site of a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and graffiti in recent years.
Officers from North East Lincolnshire Council’s Young and Safe team, part of the Council’s children’s services, teamed up with local artists and a number of young people in the local community to improve the area and make it more inviting to commuters.
Five young people spent three days in the Create Artists studio working alongside local artist, Lynsey Powles, testing equipment and receiving safety briefings. They then worked on the stairwell site throughout the summer, creating a mural using spray paint.
The mural, which spans two floors of the car park stairwell, depicts icons and images relating to the cultural heritage of Grimsby. This includes the GTFC crest, trawler vessels and the dock tower.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This project has really allowed us to tackle a number of different issues. Our officers have engaged with the local graffiti artist community to see if they wanted to create something here that would be long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, and I have to say that I’m really pleased with the results.
“This has also been about early intervention and diversion – deflecting youngsters away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
“But an added bonus to this is that the project has allowed some of these young people to realise their talents and consider what they can do next.
“I’m really pleased with this work and I’d like to congratulate all those involved in the project.”
Humberside Police Community Policing Inspector, Claire Jacobs, said: “We know the impact anti-social behaviour and related crime can have on residents, that is why partnership work such as this is so important.
“We as a Force are extremely committed to creating long term solutions to the problems faced and making our communities feel safer and stronger.”
Lynsay Powles, known locally Lyns Urban Art, said:
“All of the young people who were involved in the project worked really hard. It’s a massive achievement, they’ve done amazing.
“Some of them had never picked up a spray can before and none of them had any experience of creating a mural so they really have done amazingly.
“It is a difficult art to pick up and you have to really practice. Some of the young people still come to my studio now and paint which is great.
“I’ve had some amazing feedback from members of the public and passers-by, as well as on social media. It’s great for the young people because it helps people to see them in a different light.”
The project was supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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