Graffiti Removal Policy

The local authority will remove racist, abusive and offensive material, which is present on council property, within 5 working days of notification to the Council.

The local authority will seek permission to remove racist, abusive and offensive material, which is present on private land or property. Once permission has been gained from the owner this will occur within 24 hours. Should the owner not grant permission, the material would not be removed. Where appropriate permission will take the form of a completed and signed disclaimer. This will be hand-delivered when the enforcement officer attends to take images of the intial report.

The local authority will remove non-offensive material, which is present on council property, within 30 working days of notification to the Council.

The local authority will approach landowners, occupiers or the person responsible for the land or property, on which there is non-offensive graffiti present, requiring them to remove the graffiti. Should no remedy or removal take place the local authority will inform them of the new provisions of the ASBA, which will require these works to take place once a graffiti notice has been served. Should the works not be completed no further action will be taken by the local authority at this time.

Perpetrators of graffiti will be prosecuted under the Criminal Damages Act 1971, where sufficient evidence is gained of the offence. (The ASBA allows the local authority to issue penalty notices of £50 against those responsible).

For further information contact 01329 236100 or email customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk.