A striking new mural has been revealed to brighten up a hotspot for criminal activity in Lancaster city centre.
The alleyway on Chancery Lane, linking Market Square and Church Street, has been given a makeover thanks to a project bringing together police, Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID), Lancaster City Council, local school students and city arts group Assembly Arts.
Chancery Lane has been a centre for anti-social behaviour and other crime, including drug dealing and graffiti, said police.
But Lancaster BID today hailed the mural as a huge improvement.
"Chancery Lane in the city centre has unfortunately become a hotspot for drug taking, drug dealing, drinking, it’s been an ideal escape for shop lifters and youth anti-social behaviour," said a post on the BID Facebook page.
"HOWEVER we want this to change.
The colourful new mural in Chancery Lane. Images: Lancaster BID.
"Through partnership working with The Police and Lancaster City Council, building landlords and with inspiration from Local secondary school children, Chancery Lane has had a deep clean, and now has extra lighting, CCTV, and has had painted a mural designed by Assembly Arts and funded by us here at Lancaster BID.
"Special thanks to Lanpac who funded the paint for the police cadets to whitewash the walls, and to PC Sian Seddon who has been the driving force behind the project.
Alan Morris from Assembly Arts, PC Sian Seddon, Tony Johnson from Lancaster BID and Sarah Galloway from Assembly Arts
"This has been a fantastic example of people coming together and taking pride in where they live. Alongside regular patrols of Chancery Lane, we hope these little acts can make a big change to the city centre. Next time you are in Lancaster, pop over to Chancery Lane and see the mural!"
In addition to the mural, the owner of the buildings which border Chancery Lane have agreed to upgrade CCTV and lighting to better improve safety and act as a deterrent to crime.
Police cadets and local artists from Assembly Arts began painting the mural on July 27.
The cadets painted over existing graffiti whist work began on the mural, created by students from Lancaster High School, Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Ripley St Thomas Academy and Our Lady's Catholic College.
Ahead of this, Lancaster City Council had paid visits to deep clean the lane in preparation for the painting.
Beyond Radio paid a visit to the alleyway at the start of work and you can read about it below, as well as listen to an interview with some of the people involved in the project.
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