I have started this campaign to petition Harrogate Borough Council to allocate a legal wall where budding artists can paint without fear of criminal charges and hopefully also provide a space where people both young and old can be taught new skills. This would significantly reduce the amount of illegal graffiti in and around the town which in result will save money in clean up costs. Hopefully in the future the Arts Council could be involved with helping to get schools on board with art projects, community events etc. You only have to take a look at Stockwell Park in London to see how big similar schemes have become. The Artists it attracts from around the country and, indeed, the world and the resulting tourism it brings. If you feel passionate about this or know someone who has been charged with criminal damage before for indulging in their interest in graffiti, I'm sure you saw how negative this can be on a person's life who has no where to learn this art form. The question is: Do we have to go to jail first to become a Street Artist/painter?!