The council previously provided a graffiti cleaning service for affected owners at an agreed cost.
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Southwark Council will remove graffiti from privately owned buildings for free, after a recent policy change.
According to the council’s data, graffiti has more than doubled in the borough since 2018/19.
The council spends £215,000 a year on graffiti removal and has seven dedicated graffiti-removal teams.
Elm Grove, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
The council previously provided a graffiti cleaning service for affected owners at an agreed cost.
It said it would now “undertake the removal of graffiti from privately owned buildings and infrastructure up to a height of two metres from ground level without charge with effect from 23 October 2023.”
Elm Grove, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
Southwark’s graffiti issue is particularly apparent in Peckham.
In reaction to the policy change, Peckham Vision, a resident-led local citizens’ association, told City News:
“Whilst the clean up by the council on non-owned buildings is going to free up to 2.5m, it still needs the consent of owners. We also need to act to discourage recurrence, and the council report has some pointers.”
“Graffiti is criminal damage liable to a fine of up to £5,000 but there are no prosecutions.”
“There is also a thought that the perpetrators come from outside as Peckham is seen as an easy target.”
Rye Lane, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
On whether the policy will work, Peckham Vision said:
“It needs acceptance and partnership with owners, continuous action from the Council and pressure from the public. It should be ‘out of order’, something you don’t do if you love Peckham. It doesn’t happen in other town centres so it must be possible with a combination of immediate removal, diversion and perhaps prosecution.”
Southwark Council said: “The proposed change in policy links directly into the vision that Southwark will be a clean, green and safe borough, as set out in the council’s Streets for People Strategy.
“This will be achieved by reducing the level of graffiti which will make Southwark a better place for all who live, work, study and visit the borough.”
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HeadlineSouthwark Council offers free graffiti clean-up service to tackle rising levels
Short HeadlineSouthwark Council offers free graffiti clean-up service
StandfirstThe council currently spends £215,000 a year on graffiti removal.
Southwark Council will remove graffiti from privately owned buildings for free, after a recent policy change.
According to the council’s data, graffiti has more than doubled in the borough since 2018/19.
The council spends £215,000 a year on graffiti removal and has seven dedicated graffiti-removal teams.
Elm Grove, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
The council previously provided a graffiti cleaning service for affected owners at an agreed cost.
It said it would now “undertake the removal of graffiti from privately owned buildings and infrastructure up to a height of two metres from ground level without charge with effect from 23 October 2023.”
Elm Grove, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
Southwark’s graffiti issue is particularly apparent in Peckham.
In reaction to the policy change, Peckham Vision, a resident-led local citizens’ association, told City News:
“Whilst the clean up by the council on non-owned buildings is going to free up to 2.5m, it still needs the consent of owners. We also need to act to discourage recurrence, and the council report has some pointers.”
“Graffiti is criminal damage liable to a fine of up to £5,000 but there are no prosecutions.”
“There is also a thought that the perpetrators come from outside as Peckham is seen as an easy target.”
Rye Lane, Peckham. Credit: Callum Clark
On whether the policy will work, Peckham Vision said:
“It needs acceptance and partnership with owners, continuous action from the Council and pressure from the public. It should be ‘out of order’, something you don’t do if you love Peckham. It doesn’t happen in other town centres so it must be possible with a combination of immediate removal, diversion and perhaps prosecution.”
Southwark Council said: “The proposed change in policy links directly into the vision that Southwark will be a clean, green and safe borough, as set out in the council’s Streets for People Strategy.
“This will be achieved by reducing the level of graffiti which will make Southwark a better place for all who live, work, study and visit the borough.”
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