GraffitiHotline.co.uk



















Discussion Forum

Forcing graffiti vandals to clean the messt up themselves - proposals by John Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley)

John Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley) is calling for a government crackdown on spray-painted slogans on walls and doorways. The proposals have won cross-party support to ensure the offending material is removed - by forcing graffiti artists to clean it up themselves. Conservative and Labour MPs have backed his proposals to change the law so that those who create the mess are ordered to remove it. The measure could be included in the government's Policing and Crime Bill currently making its way through Parliament, or in a new Bill introduced by Mr Hemming

Feedback from Derby City in May 2009

"If they get caught, charged ,taken to court, and the magistrates are awake ,then something may get done ."


Feedback from Bromley in May 2009

"You've got to catch them first."


Feedback from Totnes in May 2009

"I would only be in favour of your action if specific areas were made available for graffitti artists to use in developing their technique. While I agree that thoughtless covering of other people's walls is anti-social, I do respect the honest artistry of, for example, my grandson's work. Fortunately his mother has allocated a space in their back garden which he uses, paints over, uses again and has developed sufficient skill to be invited to lead a group of youths spray painting the play area of a safe house for victims of domestic abuse in San Diego, California. He is 17, dyslexic, wildly creative and a source of pride to this grandmother. "


Feedback from Middlesborough in May 2009

"If you are to have any real success with this then try to stop the way in which young people are encouraged to use a "graffiti wall" on which to practice their skills."


Feedback from Balham, London in May 2009

" I really don't get this - if the police/council knew who was doing them they'd have stopped them long ago. Is some magic detection system now available? Otherwise it seems to me just so much hot air."


Feedback from Cambirdgeshire in May 2009

" I hope it goes through Gail Kenney."


Feedback from Colchester in May 2009

"This is great news and something I have been advocating for a long time but came up against "Health and Safety". At the risk of sounding negative the vandals still need to be caught, presumably in the act. Nevertheless it is very welcome news."


Feedback in May 2009

"One question how will it be policed?"


Feedback from Perth in May 2009

"Graffiti removal has to be done in a sensitive way that takes account of the material from which the graffiti is being removed. By allowing these characters to remove their graffiti, even with some equipment being provided, could create even more problems. The most simple solution is to dock the removal cost from their social security payments."


Feedback from Chichester in May 2009

"Sounds wonderful but a word of caution. Whilst I would support the perpetrator cleaning up their own mess I wouldn't like to have to wait the length of time that it would take to catch them and then the order to clean up. We have a system whereby professionals come in and clean up very quickly on demand. I don't want the graffiti hanging about any longer than necessary. One of those glorious ideas but not, I think quite thought through by whichever party. It comes with not working close to the ground so to speak."


Feedback from Sunderland in May 2009

"I'm sure the idea to make graffiti perpetrators clear up their own mess will receive wide support, but I hope the proposals won't mean that we have to hold off removing graffiti - particularly offensive graffiti - until we track down the culprits so that they can do the clearing up?"


Feedback from Hull in May 2009

"That is ok if they catch them."


Feedback from Daventry in May 2009

"Excellent news, suggest you put this together with a campaign to rid the countryside, in particular the fields adjacent to the motorways and arterial roads, from trailer mounted advertising."