Graffiti

Contents

- Overview
- Graffiti on houses
- Graffiti on businesses
- Graffiti on public property
- Fixed penalty notices (FPNs)
- Fly-posting

Overview 

We class graffiti as the unauthorised writing or drawing on any building or property. Graffiti is illegal and can lead to us issuing a fixed penalty notice (FPN) if you're caught.

The council are responsible for the removal of graffiti from public buildings, public property and street furniture. We also offer a service to remove offensive and non-offensive graffiti from private homes and businesses. 

Graffiti on houses

We offer a service to remove both offensive and non-offensive graffiti from houses. If you are reporting it on someone else's property, we may need to speak to the property owner before we can remove it. 

Depending on the type of graffiti, there might be a charge for removing it. 

Unfortunately, we don't deal with graffiti higher than 6ft unless it's offensive. Residents should instead remove the graffiti themselves or use a private company.

Report a graffiti problem

You can alternatively call our customer service team on 0191 433 7000. 

Graffiti on businesses

We offer a service to remove both offensive and non-offensive graffiti from businesses. If you are reporting it on someone else's business, we may need to speak to the property owner before we can remove it. 

Depending on the type of graffiti, there might be a charge for removing it. If there is a charge, we will need to provide a quote based on the size of the job. 

This might involve us visiting the premises to do an inspection, although we may be able to avoid this if you submit good quality images of the issue.

Unfortunately, we don't deal with graffiti higher than 6ft unless it's offensive. Businesses should instead remove the graffiti themselves or use a private company.

Report a graffiti problem

You can alternatively call our customer service team on 0191 433 7000. 

Graffiti on public property

We are only responsible for removing graffiti on certain types of public property, such as street furniture and subways. 

If the graffiti is on another type of public property, then it is usually the responsibility of the owner to remove it. This includes: 

• bus stops 
• telephone boxes
• post boxes
• train or Metro stations
• utility boxes

However, if the graffiti is offensive then we will either remove it or work with the company to get it removed within one working day. 

If the graffiti is non-offensive, you can still report it and we will try our best to let the company responsible know about it.

We don't take reports for non-offensive graffiti on bus stops or subways. This is because there is already a scheduled programme in place to remove graffiti on a regular basis.

Report a graffiti problem

You can alternatively call our customer service team on 0191 433 7000. 

Fixed penalty notices (FPNs)

The law authorises our neighbourhood wardens to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone caught doing graffiti.

If you are prosecuted in court for graffiti, you could receive a substantial fine or even a prison term.

Pay a fixed penalty notice

Fly-posting

Fly-posting is the unauthorised advertising of posters and stickers on buildings and property. 

Find out more about fly-posting or report a fly-posting issue.