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Graffiti and flyposting fines

Graffiti are words or drawings that are written, painted, sprayed or scratched on the surface of any property.

Flyposters usually advertise or promote events and are placed without permission of the owner of the property. They can take the form of stickers, signs or posters.

Graffiti and flyposting are both criminal offences carrying large fines given out by a magistrate, or up to £80 fixed penalty notice issued by the local authority or police. If you see any one doing graffiti or flyposting, you should report it to your local council or the police.

• More about anti-social behaviour (crime and justice section)

Responsibility for removing graffiti and flyposting

Your local council is usually responsible for removing graffiti from public buildings, street furniture or monuments as well as removing flyposters.

Other items such as telephone boxes, bus shelters and electricity boxes are the responsibility of the company that has placed them there.

However, the local authority does have a power to issue a 'defacement removal notice' to the property owner, which requires them to remove the graffiti or flyposting within 28 days. If they fail to do so, the local authority can do the work themselves and recover the costs.

Your local council cannot remove graffiti or flyposting from private households and other private property without the owner's permission. However, many offer a free or subsidised service to assist the removal.

Reporting problems to your council

If you are affected by graffiti or flyposting or you see it on property nearby, you can report it to your local council. They will be able to advise you on what steps can be taken to remove it.

• Find out about flyposting Opens new window

• Find out about graffiti problems Opens new window

• Report flyposting Opens new window

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