Graffiti Removal

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Prevent Graffiti

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The rapid and continual removal of graffiti and keeping the appearance of your property neat and clean are the best ways to prevent graffiti.

Removing graffiti within 24-48 hours makes for an easier clean and reduces the notoriety for graffiti vandals from having their graffiti on display. If graffiti isn't removed or the property looks neglected (over grown garden, litter, broken fences etc)  it sends a message that the owner doesn't care, which results in more graffiti.

Make the target harder

• Reduce access to walls (e.g. fencing, landscaping).
• Restrict access during high-risk times (e.g. lock gates at night).
• Increase lighting.
• Increase surveillance (e.g. plan activities during high-risk times, situate staff at high-risk locations, arrange security patrols, involve neighbours, install CCTVs, use alarms or movement-activated lighting).
• Use materials/coatings to deter graffiti.
• Reduce the size and number of walls through landscaping, colour, texture, art or design.
• Use the principals of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to reduce the opportunity for offenders to target your property.

Reduce the rewards

• Remove graffiti quickly.
• Remove the most prolific and prominent tags first.
• Don't show images of graffiti in the media.
• Use anti-graffiti coatings.
• Seek compensation.
• Use the offenders to remove the graffiti.
• Offer rewards for information to reduce bragging.

Remove excuses

• Define acceptable behaviour for the area.
• Provide rules for use within the area.
• Advertise the penalties for graffiti.
• Remind people of the cost of graffiti removal and the impact it has on services available to the community.
• Use legislation to set up alcohol-free zones.
• Use lighting to deter drug use. 

Related links

• Report graffiti
• Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)