a guide to improving your local environment - Keep Britain Tidy

GRAFFITI
www.encams.org
What is graffiti
The term graffiti refers to drawings, patterns, scribbles,
messages or tags that are painted, written or carved on
walls and other surfaces. In recent times the craze has
been for ‘tagging’, the stylised scrawling of names. To
those whose property is defaced by graffiti, the markings
are a form of vandalism that is unwelcome, distressing
and difficult to remove.
Where can graffiti be found and who
does it affect
Graffiti incidences tend to be focused in relatively few
hotspots, where the problem is intense. However, where
it does occur it is highly visible and has a great impact on
the public in their perception of the area. This is
highlighted in a recent survey in which 77% of Londoners
listed graffiti as a quality of life concern. The survey also
showed that graffiti is often in prominent locations,
having an effect on the perceptions of passers-by.
GRAFFITI
What is the cost of graffiti
The estimated cost of graffiti to the country is over £1bn a
year. The London Underground alone believes it costs up
to £10m a year to replace all the glass that is etched with
graffiti in addition to the £2.5m needed annually to clear
up other types of graffiti.
Responsibilities relating to graffiti
Local Authorities
• Should remove graffiti from public buildings,
monuments and street furniture for which they are
responsible. (Other items such as telephone boxes,
bus shelters and electricity boxes are the
responsibility of the company that has placed them
there, for example, British Telecom or other
utility companies.)
• Must monitor the level of graffiti in their area as part
of their corporate reporting system (BV199b).
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