Graffiti

Graffiti vandalism, or ‘tagging', is any mark or symbol placed on property without the owner's permission. It is an act of vandalism that has an adverse impact on the amenity of an area.

Often the presence of graffiti leads to an increase in other petty crime activity in the area, and leads to a perception of reduced public safety. The majority of graffiti is committed on public, commercial and industrial property.

Complaints

If you see someone doing graffiti, contact the Queensland Police Service on 131 444.

Queensland Government also has the GraffitiSTOP service available to help tackle graffiti.

If you know someone who is responsible for graffiti or tagging you can report them anonymously. Find out more at the Tag Them Back website.

You can also help by contacting the responsible property owner.

Property	Contact
Water reservoirs Buses and bus shelters Ferry terminals Council buildings and depots Council parks and natural reserves Traffic light and signal boxes	Report graffiti on Council property
Railway facilities	Queensland Rail, 07 3235 2222
Main roads and bridges	Department of Main Roads, 07 3834 2011
Private property	The property owner or Council on 07 3403 8888

Prior to the introduction of the Health Safety and Amenity Local Law 2009, Council was unable to remove graffiti from private property. Council was always able to remove graffiti from Council’s assets.

Where graffiti is now identified on private property a Council authorised officer will meet with the occupier of the property to discuss the removal of the graffiti.

Graffiti management strategy

To deal with graffiti, Brisbane City Council:

• provides free graffiti removal kits
• employs a graffiti reduction officer to advise on graffiti prevention and removal
• gives removal materials and paints to community groups to remove graffiti
• distributes graffiti prevention guidelines
• makes presentations about graffiti vandalism to community groups
• undertakes graffiti and safety audits in affected areas and recommends appropriate actions
• coordinates legal art projects to beautify local communities and prevent graffiti
• removes graffiti as soon as possible
• designs public areas to support graffiti prevention

Taskforce Against Graffiti (TAG)

The taskforce, which commenced in October 2008, is a joint initiative of Council and the state government. Council officers work with the police to combat graffiti and associated crime.

Council's Graffiti Reduction Teams work closely with the taskforce. When Graffiti Reduction Team officers attend sites to remove graffiti, they take a photograph of the damage and record:

• the location
• the owner of the property
• any other relevant information

This information is forwarded to the taskforce and used to identify individuals or groups responsible for graffiti. Police may prosecute offenders.

It is anticipated that adults (over 17 years of age) serving community based supervision orders will work with Council's Graffiti Reduction Teams to remove graffiti.

Preventing graffiti

The following strategies can help to prevent graffiti:

• vegetation - shrubs and bushy plants near buildings help restrict access to walls or views into buildings
• lighting - a well-lit area may deter vandalism
• legal art and murals - vandals seldom attack the work of other artists
• paints and coatings - always keep extra paint of the same colour as your walls, fences and other painted surfaces
• graffiti resistant surfaces - try to avoid plain, smooth surfaces or fences
• securing your property - secure items such as benches, barbecues and wheelie bins so they can't be used to gain access to walls or rooftops

For more information download the graffiti prevention guidelines:

• Index (PDF - 67kb)
• Order A - Access Control (PDF - 152kb)
• Order B - Canvas Reduction (PDF - 287kb)
• Order C - Easy Maintenance Selections (PDF - 205kb)

Removing graffiti

Rapid removal is the most effective way to prevent graffiti reappearing because it reduces the recognition that graffitists crave. It also shows that the affected area is being monitored and looked after.

Council attempts to remove all graffiti from its buildings or structures within five working days of it being reported. Offensive or high profile graffiti is removed within one working day.

Private property

It is the responsibility of the property owner or occupier to remove graffiti on private property (residential, commercial and industrial premises). If Council receives complaints about graffiti on private property, Council may request the property owner or occupier remove it within an agreed time frame. Council will work with people who are unable to meet the agreed time frame.

Brisbane residents can visit Council to ask for a free graffiti removal kit, or go to a Ward Office. The kit contains:

• two types of graffiti remover
• safety glasses
• gloves
• instructions
• safety information