We’ve been significantly stepping up our action to tackle graffiti tagging in the city.
In recent months, more than ever is being done to ensure our streets and public spaces are well-maintained, clean and attractive.
We’ve increased the fine for graffiti tagging from £150 to £500, with money generated from these fines being invested back into enforcement action.
More offenders have also been identified, with 15 Fixed Penalty Notices issued in the last 6 months, compared to 5 in the same period last year.
The most prolific taggers are being put to work, cleaning up and painting over the tags. Below shows part of The Level recently cleaned by an offender.
Picture: Graffiti at The Level before and after it had been cleaned by an offender
As well as greater enforcement on tagging, we’ve also stepped-up enforcement on fly-tipping.
In September and October this year we issued 185 fly-tipping fines, more than double that of the same period last year (91).
We now want to hear from residents, businesses and community groups on what more we can do to tackle the problem.
A seven-week consultation is launching today (Tuesday 21 November) where you can share your views on preventing, enforcing and removing tagging across the city.
As well as asking people for their ideas on new approaches to combat tagging, we’re also asking them on the proposed actions we should be taking.
The feedback we get will be used to shape our new Graffiti Tagging Reduction Strategy. This will then be put before councillors on our City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee for final approval.
The consultation closes on 9 January 2024.
The launch of the consultation coincides with the first of our ‘Re-imagine Brighton & Hove events’.
These are a chance for us to hear your ideas for creating positive change in our city.
The first event’s theme is centred around graffiti tagging and making our public spaces more attractive.
Join us from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday 21 November at Hove Town Hall, Council Chambers, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 4AH.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee said: “We’ve been working hard to tackle tagging in the city, and I’m very pleased to see that we’re starting to identify and catch more offenders. Larger fines and stronger enforcement will play a key part, but we’re now looking at what other steps we can take to reduce the scale of the problem.
“We really want to hear from the people who live and work in Brighton & Hove about tackling this scourge, which costs the city many thousands of pounds to remove and clean.
“Graffiti tagging has such a negative impact on the look and feel of Brighton & Hove and we’re determined to get on top of it to ensure our streets and buildings are clean and welcoming for everyone.”
If you see hate-based or offensive graffiti or stickering, please report it though our environmental enforcement hotline on 01273 295 063 or our online request a clean-up form.
