Brighton graffiti action plan aims to reduce tagging

Brighton and Hove City Council is fighting back against tagging by targeting specific areas in an attempt to clean up the streets.

It will invoke powers under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to issue warnings and fines to commercial property owners where graffiti is found.

Environmental enforcement officers will give commercial building and street furniture owners a date by which they are “legally obliged” to remove graffiti.

Fixed penalty notices will then be handed out to those who “ignore” the initial community protection warnings.

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.

“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.”

The scheme launches on September 12

The “action zones” will see Cityclean staff work in each area for two weeks at a time to remove graffiti from publicly owned street furniture such as bins, benches and street signs.

Initial protection notices range between seven and 28 days, and consider the extent of the graffiti.

Homeowners, charities and community-run facilities are exempt from the scheme.

“For residents – we would ask that if you see anyone tagging in the city, please report it,” said Cllr Clare.

“We hope that by everyone working together, we can ensure we reduce the amount of graffiti around.”

Hate-based or offensive graffiti can be reported through the council’s environmental enforcement hotline, with an aim to remove it within 24 hours.

The council said it will work with Sussex Police to prosecute offenders.

The first targeted action zone is Church Road, Hove, and will start on September 12, followed by George Street and Boundary Road in October.

Preston Street, Ship Street, Middle Street and Upper Lewes Road in Brighton are next during November and December, with many more busy streets planned for next year.