Graffiti Policy 2024

Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Wood View Road, Hellesdon, Norwich NR6 5QB
Tel: 01603 301751 email: contact@hellesdon-pc.gov.uk www.hellesdon-pc.gov.uk

Graffiti Policy

Policy Statement
• This policy covers graffiti on Hellesdon Parish Council property
• Hellesdon Parish Council promotes respect for the environment and will strive for a
Cleaner, Greener, Sustainable and Safer Environment.
• This policy seeks to improve the street scene and reduce the fear of crime, for the
benefit of all those who live in, work and visit Hellesdon.
• The target will be to remove racist and/or offensive graffiti on Parish Council
property within one working day of the report being made.
• The target for removing other graffiti from Parish Council property will be to remove
it within 10 working days of the reported date.
• The Council will work with Agencies and Utility Companies to reduce graffiti on
street furniture and other apparatus.
• The Council will work with the Police and other organisations to reduce the
occurrence of graffiti.

1. Definition of Graffiti

Graffiti can include drawings, scribbles, messages or ‘tags’ that are painted, written, sprayed
or etched on walls and other surfaces.

2. Definition of Offensive Graffiti

   •   Offensive Graffiti is illegal and unauthorised and may contain some or all of the
       following elements:
   •   Offensive language
   •   Language of a political, radical, religiously insulting or inciting nature
   •   A graphically explicit image
   •   Any statement declaring hatred of any person or group, particularly those with a
       protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010

Hellesdon Parish Council - Graffiti Policy
Reviewed December 2024
Next Review 2025/2026 M1
3. Principles of the Policy
Hellesdon Parish Council is committed to making Hellesdon Safer, Cleaner and Greener as
detailed in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and
Environment Act 2005.

There are three main principles to the Policy:

a. Eradication
Reducing unacceptable levels of litter, detritus, fly posting and graffiti forms a key part of
Government’s ‘Cleaner Safer Greener Communities’ Strategy.

Hellesdon Parish Council has a responsibility to remove graffiti from its own property, just as
the maintenance of privately owned items of street furniture is the responsibility of the
respective owners.

b. Education
The Council will publish this policy on the Council’s website and will work with other
agencies to reduce graffiti in Hellesdon.

When asked to do so, the Parish Council will advise members of the public on whom to
contact regarding graffiti removal from private property.

c. Enforcement
Under certain circumstances, Graffiti is classified as a criminal offence under the Criminal
Damage Act 1971. The Police Service is the only enforcement agency with the legislative
powers to prosecute an offence of Criminal Damage.

Hellesdon Parish Council - Graffiti Policy
Reviewed December 2024
Next Review 2025/2026 M1