Graffiti

Report graffiti in Dorset online

You can report graffiti online (opens in a new window)

What is graffiti?

Graffiti is a form of visual communication, usually illegal, involving the unauthorised marking of public space by an individual or group. Graffiti is widely considered a form of antisocial behaviour that creates a negative impression of an area.

What is wrong with graffiti ?

• The defacement of property without the owners consent is a criminal offence

• Graffiti can be of a racist or otherwise offensive nature

• Often associated with other crime (drugs, gang activity, shoplifting of materials)

• It can lead to a fear of crime in the local community

• Creates the perception of urban decay (which can have an effect on property prices)

• It is a blot on the street scene, and detracts from the amenity of an area (very little has any artistic merit)

What motivates offenders?

• Whilst creating graffiti does not offer material reward to offenders, it does have meaning to them and their peers

• Although it  seems to be a senseless destruction of property, graffiti fulfils certain psychological needs in the perpetrators, including providing excitement and action, a sense of control and an element of risk.  

• Different types of graffiti are associated with different motives, although these drives may overlap

• The motives for some types of conventional graffiti may include anger and hostility toward society, and the vandalism thus fulfils a personal outlet

How can you help?

If graffiti appears on your Dorset property:

• Report it to the police

• Report graffiti (opens in a new window)  to your local council as soon as possible

• Take photographs as evidence

• Remove it as quickly as you can

Your local council will remove graffiti from the highway and council owned or controlled property only.

Graffiti removal in Dorset

Unless the graffiti is offensive or racist, removal will be carried out on a programmed basis within 7 days.

If racist or offensive graffiti is reported, all attempts will be made to remove it within 24 hours.

• Report graffiti online

  Report an incident of graffiti in Dorset with a short online form.

• Wipe-out graffiti removal project

  Tackling graffiti in West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland.

• How can graffiti be removed?

  Should you wish to try and remove graffiti yourself, the following methods of removal are fairly simple and economic: