Targeted action to tackle problem graffiti
We’re launching a year-long programme of targeted action zones to help tackle problem graffiti across the city.
The action zones will target high footfall areas and involve co-ordinated activity of graffiti removal from council property, alongside engagement with businesses about problem graffiti on commercial property.
The programme is part of our drive to tackle problem graffiti and make the city as clean and welcoming as possible for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
The first targeted action zone is Church Road, Hove, and will start on 12 September, followed by George Street and Boundary Road in October.
The plan is to then move to Preston Street, Ship Street, Middle Street and Upper Lewes Road in Brighton during November and December, with many more busy streets pencilled in next year.
We'll update the details of the areas we'll be working in on our graffiti targeted action zone webpage.
Targeted action zones
The action zones involve Cityclean staff focussing on each area for 2 weeks working to remove graffiti from publicly-owned street furniture, such as bins, benches and street signs.
They’ll be supported by our Environmental Enforcement Officers, who will be inspecting the areas and issuing Community Protection Warnings and Notices to organisations who own street furniture requesting them to remove graffiti or face enforcement action.
We’ll be writing to commercial property owners in the areas ahead of the action asking them to remove any graffiti from their property to support efforts to tackle graffiti.
In line with our Environmental Enforcement Framework and under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Environmental Enforcement Officers will issue Community Protection Warnings and Notices to commercial property owners where they find graffiti.
Community Protection Warnings
Earlier this year, we introduced Community Protection Warnings and Notices to help tackle graffiti on commercially owned buildings and street furniture.
This allows us to work with owners of commercial property owners and city infrastructure, such as phone kiosks and post boxes, to advise, monitor and set timescales so incidents of graffiti around the city are targeted and removed quickly.
Under this scheme, we initially send property owners a Community Protection Warning with a timescale to remove graffiti.
If no action is taken and the warning ignored, a Community Protection Notice will be served, which imposes a specific date by which they are legally obliged to remove the graffiti.
As a final resort, we will impose fixed penalty notices or prosecute property owners who ignore Community Protection Warnings and Notices that have been served.
Community Protection Warnings and Notices include a timescale of 7, 14 or 28 days to ensure graffiti is removed within a timely manner. This is dependent on the extent of the graffiti, taking into account the size, height and whether specialist equipment is needed for removal.
The scheme is working well so far, with some enforcement needed against a few businesses for failing to remove graffiti and positive feedback from residents on the improvements.
Homeowners, charities and community run facilities are exempt from the scheme.
Improving the look and feel of the city
Councillor Hannah Clare, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We know that many residents feel passionate about graffiti and tagging, and we are committed to trying new ways of taking action on clearing it up.
“Since launching our Graffiti Reduction Strategy, we’ve been working alongside other partners, like the police, on a variety of measures to help combat the growing issue of graffiti vandalism.
“Our aim of targeting problems streets one-by-one is to create clean areas where residents, traders and visitors can see the difference. We hope this will encourage people to work together to keep areas free from graffiti area for longer.
“We will also be working with our partners to remove graffiti from all public infrastructure. We would welcome the support of businesses to help the push to remove graffiti too.
“For residents – we would ask that if you see anyone tagging in the city, please report it. We hope that by everyone working together, we can ensure we reduce the amount of graffiti around.”
Reporting graffiti
If you see hate-based or offensive graffiti or stickering, please report it though our environmental enforcement hotline or our online request a clean-up form.
We aim to remove offensive graffiti and stickering within 24 hours of it being reported to us.
We will gather evidence and work with Sussex Police to prosecute offenders.
By reporting you’re helping to reduce the harm caused by offensive graffiti and stickering and helping us tackle offenders.
We’re also keen to hear from residents who see someone tagging or have evidence against anyone daubing graffiti.
Call 01273 295063 to give details of the offence, and our officers will be respond quickly.
The phone line is open from 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, with voicemail outside these hours.
Our environmental enforcement officers can fine anyone found drawing graffiti on public and private land where they don’t have the landowner’s permission.
We will issue fixed penalty notices of £150 to anyone found committing the offence and will seize any material used to graffiti.
We only remove graffiti when it’s offensive or on council property. You can find information about removing graffiti on private property on our what to do about graffiti webpage.
