Southwark Council has kickstarted its campaign against graffiti with a “week-long blitz” along Peckham High Street – with more hotspots set to be targetted.
The council started work in Peckham on Monday (November 13) following its landmark policy announcement that it will start removing graffiti from private buildings free of charge.
Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, said: “Graffiti, not to be confused with public art, is a growing concern for residents and businesses across the borough.
“This is why we’re taking decisive action to eliminate these eyesores from our high streets by providing local businesses with a complimentary graffiti removal service.”
He added: “To get things started, our cleansing teams are out in Peckham this week clearing graffiti from storefronts and commercial buildings.”
Locals have recently complained that an “epidemic” of graffiti has made areas like Peckham feel “intimidating” and “run down”.
The problem has spiralled out of control in recent years – in part because private property owners either can’t afford, or aren’t willing, to pay for private graffiti removal services.
According to council data, graffiti levels have doubled since 2018, from a score of 4.96 to 10 per cent last year.
Graffiti-stricken private property owners to get free clean-up service from Southwark Council
But from now on, Southwark Council will remove graffiti from privately owned buildings and infrastructure below two meters from ground level – without asking for payment.
Cllr McAsh said: “Given the ongoing cost of living emergency, we understand many businesses are struggling to keep afloat and struggle to cover clean-up costs themselves. We’re here to help.”
As well as the free graffiti removal service, the council is taking further steps to combat such vandalism.
These include collaborating with police to identify vandals and seek prosecutions, use enforcement powers where property owners don’t use the council’s graffiti removal services, and promoting the use of public art murals.
Southwark Council wrote online: “This week Southwark’s cleansing team will be removing graffiti along Peckham High Street as part of a weeklong blitz. The team will be targeting other known hotspots over the forthcoming weeks.”