Graffiti Removal
Graffiti Removal
We are committed to removing graffiti which is on Council property. There are four main priorities in dealing with graffiti removal:
- racist, offensive and abusive graffiti
- graffiti on public and private property in direct view from a main road
- graffiti on Council property.
- graffiti on the property of elderly or vulnerable residents.
We aim to remove racist or offensive graffiti within one working day of reporting. However the removal time may depend on restraints imposed by circumstances, for example, where the graffiti needs specialist equipment or a road closure is required. We aim to remove other graffiti (for which we are responsible) within 10 days.
Residents are encouraged to remove graffiti from their own private property wherever possible (please see our tips on graffiti removal below). We also offer residents further advice on removal, prevention and self help measures, please contact us if you would like further advice.
In certain circumstances free graffiti removal is available to areas not within the priorities listed above, examples are:
- where a resident has difficulty removing the graffiti
- repeat victims who have taken self help measures with limited success
- where removal would have a significant benefit to the local community
Report Graffiti to Us - or Receive Further Advice
If you want to report an incident of graffiti, or would like advice on removal, prevention and self help measures, please call the Customer Contact Centre on 020 8547 5002 or email:
Reporting Graffiti to the Police
Kingston Police: 0208 541 1212
If you are a victim of graffiti that has resulted in damage to your own residential or business property, please report the crime to Kingston Police. However, if you see an incidence of graffiti occurring, you should report this to the Police on 999 at the time.
Graffiti is a crime that affects the whole community. Kingston Council works closely with the Police and other partners to identify and deal with those engaged in criminal damage and graffiti in the borough.
Graffiti Removal – Residential Property
- Graffiti is a community problem - we ask residents to remove or paint out graffiti wherever possible from their own property
- The quicker graffiti is cleaned off, the easier it is to remove
- We offer residents further advice on removal, prevention and self help measures, please contact us if you would like further advice
- If you are unable to remove the graffiti yourself and the graffiti faces the public highway - we will remove the graffiti for you, subject to health and safety considerations. We need your permission prior to removing graffiti from your property
- Graffiti on brickwork and fencing will usually be removed by chemicals, followed by hot pressure washing
- When graffiti is on a painted surface, only the area of graffiti will be painted over
- Please note that we are unable to remove graffiti from service roads or areas not within the view of a main road
Graffiti Removal – Business Premises
- Businesses and shops are responsible for removing the graffiti from their own property
- Please contact us for advice and details of specialist companies that offer graffiti removal
- Graffiti removal products are available from local stockists. The manufacturer’s instructions and safety instructions should be noted carefully before use and the product should first be tested on a small area. If in any doubt, advice from specialist graffiti removal companies should be sought.
Prevention and Anti-Graffiti Tips
- The quicker and more frequently graffiti is removed, the less likely vandals are to strike again
- Keep a small tin of matching coloured paint to hand to paint out graffiti on painted surfaces
- Planting shrubs or growing climbers up walls and fences, where suitable, will help to discourage graffiti
- Consider using anti-graffiti coatings – please contact us for further information
Contact Us
For further information please call the Customer Contact Centre on 020 8547 5002 or email: