A Royal Wootton Bassett teenager has turned a vandalism hotspot into a work of art – with a stunning new mural transforming the town’s public toilets.
The Borough Fields loos, once a frequent target for graffiti and damage, have been given a colourful facelift thanks to 17-year-old Emma Beet, whose design was picked from dozens of others in a local competition.
The idea for the large-scale painting came after repeated vandalism cost thousands in repairs and caused frustration for residents.
In response, Royal Wootton Bassett Police launched a problem-solving project to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre: their investigations led to several young people being identified and dealt with through Community Resolutions, before officers turned their attention to finding a more creative, long-term fix.
That’s when Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Kelly Hillier had a bright idea – turning the trouble spot into a community art project.
“I wanted to encourage local young people to take pride in their surroundings and help make the building less of a target for vandalism,” said PCSO Hillier.
The design competition ran from March to May and was open to Royal Wootton Bassett Academy students.
The winning design was chosen by local artists Marilyn Trew and Angela Vincent alongside Mayor Steve Bucknell, and features some of the town’s most recognisable landmarks.
Funding for the mural came from Swindon Lions and a local benefactor, covering materials and student prizes.
Over the October half-term, students, teachers and police joined forces to paint the mural, turning a once-bland building into a burst of community colour.
Assistant Headteacher David Storey praised the collaboration: “This has been a great opportunity for our students to give something back and make a visible difference. What was once an eyesore is now a talking point.”
Mayor Steve Bucknell called the project “a fantastic example of what can be achieved when young people and the community work together”.
And with the newly painted loos now a source of civic pride, locals are joking that Royal Wootton Bassett’s facilities are officially a cut above your bog standard.
