Background notes

The definition of graffiti is drawings or messages scribbled, scratched or sprayed, typically onto walls, posters and street furniture. Whilst some graffiti is considered by some to be an art form displaying many artistic skills, it is sometimes obscene and is generally considered to be unsightly and offensive to many people. When put on private property without permission, as a wilful and deliberate form of damage, graffiti is a form of vandalism for which those responsible can be prosecuted.

The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act outlined that specific targets should be set by councils to tackle the problem of graffiti. Local councils have implemented their own specific strategies to target and decrease the incidences of graffiti. These normally include:

• education and prevention
• enforcement of the law against perpetrators
• graffiti removal

New anti-graffiti measures contained in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 are in force and also give local authorities the ability to issue penalty notices for graffiti. Over recent years the Home Office has launched initiatives such as the Name That Tag campaign in London, Liverpool and Manchester, offering a reward of £500 for information about prolific offenders. The British Transport police have set up a national database to help with prosecutions.

Graffiti causes considerable concern to the public and is commonly viewed as a sign of decay and decline in a neighbourhood. It has become an increasingly significant anti-social problem in recent years and its removal is costly to society. Over recent years measures have been put in place to limit spray cans being sold to under-16 year olds and to try and stop any form of encouragement for graffiti.

Illegal graffiti is viewed as criminal damage according to the law and is categorised with vandalism. It is impossible to come up with specific statistics for graffiti. Graffiti can adversely affect the quality of life of the people living and working in an affected area. The majority of people find it unsightly and it has been linked to an increase in the fear of local crime.

Graffiti offenders want their tags to remain on buildings, walls and trains as long as possible as it gives them credibility amongst other graffiti offenders. Councils employ tactics to remove graffiti as quickly as possible to try and discourage the offenders. Graffiti Artist David Fenton, known as AKS (tag) is featured in the programme. AKS was born in Australia and grew up in Adelaide. As a teenager in Australia he was a graffiti offender, now he works with youngsters trying to encourage them to develop their talents, but in a safe environment. AKS warns that many teenagers end up tagging in run down and unsafe areas, often frequented by addicts and are therefore putting themselves at risk. There are areas and clubs being set up where teenagers can tag and really hone their talents in a safe environment.