Graffiti
Graffiti has a major impact on people’s perceptions of crime levels in a community. It is illegal, anti-social and diminishes the local environment.
How to report graffiti
You can report graffiti online or by contacting us using the details to the right.
Once reported,
- the Environmental Enforcement Team will investigate within 48 hours
- offensive graffiti on buildings owned or managed by the council will be removed within 24 hours
- non-offensive graffiti will be removed within 14 days.
How we tackle graffiti
The Council and the local Metropolitan Police are working to apprehend all individuals who commit graffiti crime.
We will:
- prosecute or issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices to people caught carrying out graffiti vandalism
- prosecute individuals and organisations for repeat offences, and where possible will seek Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and injunctions from the Courts
- issue notices to building owners/occupiers to remove graffiti and by default undertake works and recover costs on commercial properties.
Buildings not owned by Hackney Council
Hackney Council has no authority to immediately remove graffiti from buildings that we do not own or manage.
When graffti is reported on one of these buildings, we will notify the owner/occupier. We can can also undertake works by default if they fail to act.
Responsibilities of building owners
Local residents and businesses must play their part in keeping the borough clean and graffiti free.
Property owners are responsible for removing graffiti on any premises that are visible from a public highway. The Council will issue Graffiti Removal Notices to property owners who do not comply.
Avoiding graffiti
There are ways of reducing the likelihood of your business or property being used for graffiti:
- Use anti-graffiti paints.
- Use hoardings.
- Limit access points to the property.
Further information on preventative measures can be found on the Graffiti Hotline website.
Removing graffiti
The Council offers a graffiti removal service to help you remove graffiti from your premises – please contact us using the details at the top-right hand corner of this page for more information. Residents will be charged for this service.
Page updated: 25 Oct 2010
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