Graffiti and fly posting

Graffiti is the unauthorised marking, writing, drawing or painting of property without permission. This includes buildings, walls, street furniture, signs and other public or private property. Graffiti is treated as criminal damage and may result in enforcement action.

You can use our online form to report graffiti.

Property owners and occupiers are normally responsible for removing graffiti from privately owned buildings or land. Keeping graffiti removed helps maintain the appearance and safety of local areas.

Fly posting is the display of posters, stickers, banners or advertisements without permission.

This can include material attached to:

• lampposts
• street signs
• utility boxes
• buildings
• other structures

Fly posting is illegal and may result in enforcement action.

You can use our online form to report fly posting.

Where fly posting is causing a significant impact on the area, the council may serve a notice requiring removal.

If this is not complied with, the council may:

• Remove the material in default
• Recharge the costs to those responsible

Where there is evidence of an offence, the council may:

• issue a Fixed Penalty Notice
• prosecute offenders
• request payment for removal costs where legislation allows

In some circumstances, a formal notice may be served requiring graffiti or fly posting to be removed within a specified period. If this is not done, the council may arrange removal and the owner or occupier could be required to pay for these costs.