North Laine Community Association slams Brighton Council over graffiti

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to crack down on antisocial behaviour with an array of new measures announced to tackle “low-level crime”.

Under the plan, drug testing of criminals will become more prevalent, on-the-spot fines for graffiti will be increased from £150 to £500, and more money will be ploughed into youth centres as part of a bid to eradicate.

Graffiti is a common sight in the city (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

The Prime Minister also plans to make nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, a class C drug, which could see users facing up to two years in jail and unlimited fines.

Current legislation already prohibits the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide for inhalation.

Nitrous oxide is typically released into balloons from small silver canisters, which ministers complain are littering public spaces and helping fuel anti-social behaviour.

The government hopes to ban nitrous oxide before the end of the year.

It goes against recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which recently concluded it would be disproportionate to bring in an outright ban.

A spokeswoman from North Laine Community Association said although it welcomes the harsher fines for spraying graffiti, they would like to see Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police work to prosecute known taggers in the area.

The group said tagging, which is where graffiti artists put their signature on buildings, is a major issue in the North Laine.

Tougher fines for graffiti will be enforced (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

"NLCA certainly welcomes the increase in fines for vandalism caused by taggers but moreover we would welcome the council environmental enforcement team and the police to work together to prosecute vandals,” she said.

“Fines have always existed and yet, despite clear evidence of prolific taggers identities, strong action to enforce fines is sorely lacking."

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A spokesman from Sussex Police said tackling graffiti is a “key focus” for the force, which has a "dedicated graffiti lead" within the division’s neighbourhood policing team.

“Our officers maintain visible patrols across the city and particularly in areas highlighted as being of particular concern,” said the spokesman.

“These officers work with the community to gather intelligence that allows us to identify areas most affected by graffiti to ensure our resources are targeted as effectively as possible.

Perpetrators will be made to carry out clean up work (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

“We also work closely with our partners in the community to share information and highlight repeat offenders who can be pursued and brought to justice.

“As a division, we will be supporting the council's programme of targeted action.

“Please report any crimes or concerns through the Sussex Police website, by calling 101 or dialling 999 if it is an emergency.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said it takes graffiti "seriously" as "something that is upsetting and frustrating for many of our residents".  

“We take appropriate and proportionate action as per our agreed enforcement policies whenever we have the evidence to do so – although by its nature we don’t always know who did it," the spokesman said.

“We work with Sussex Police to try and tackle graffiti. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the specifics of this joint work.  

“Above and beyond that work, we are currently engaged in a year-long programme of targeted action zones tackling graffiti across the city.

“These focus on the busiest areas, with our Cityclean team going from area to area on a fortnightly basis to tackle graffiti. 

“We have also introduced Community Protection Warnings and Notices to help tackle graffiti. These allow us to work with the owners of commercial buildings and street furniture to try and get graffiti removed quickly.” 

Under the Prime Minister's plans so-called Immediate Justice proposals will aim to see perpetrators behind anti-social activity carry out repair and clean-up works within 48 hours of being handed community orders.

Offenders will be made to wear hi-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision while picking up litter, removing graffiti and washing police cars as punishment for their actions.

Victims of anti-social behaviour will be given a say in how criminals are disciplined to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime, according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.