Cleaning graffiti on someone else's property

PeaIn2Pods

There's obscene language graffiti on someone's garage door just up the road from me and it has been there since October last year. I've no idea whose garage it belongs to as there's a row of them so it could be anyone's.

I have reported it three times to the council and first time they said they have informed the cleansing team.. Nothing happened. Reported it again, they gave cleansing team a nudge.. Again, no response. Third time, they said probation service is dealing with it by end of January.. It is still there.

I'm fed up of having to walk past it every day, plus this is a family area and the fact they can read it makes me sick. Now I am wondering would it be illegal if I just spray painted the whole lot white to get rid of it once and for all? If not, how do I get graffiti off. I will just clean the damn thing myself cos the council have been absolutely useless at getting this sorted.

elsien

There are limits on what the council can do without the property owners consent if it’s not council owned.
My council wouldn’t clear graffiti of a wall near me because the plaster was crumbling and they thought they’d be hit with a large bill if the clean up damaged it further.
Sibling’s council wouldn’t tackle graffiti on his wall (he was willing to pay) because they said it wasn’t offensive. One person’s offensive is another’s day to day speech. 

Spray painting someone else’s  property could certainly land you in strife if the property - how would you like some random person spray painting your garage?  How likely are you to be seen doing it if someone complains? 

PeaIn2Pods

elsien said:

There are limits on what the council can do without the property owners consent if it’s not council owned.
My council wouldn’t clear graffiti of a wall near me because the plaster was crumbling and they thought they’d be hit with a large bill if the clean up damaged it further.
Sibling’s council wouldn’t tackle graffiti on his wall (he was willing to pay) because they said it wasn’t offensive. One person’s offensive is another’s day to day speech. 

Spray painting someone else’s  property could certainly land you in strife if the property - how would you like some random person spray painting your garage?  How likely are you to be seen doing it if someone complains? 

If it means cleaning off vulgar language then I would not complain. I'm not doing it to cause strife, I care about the area I live in and I am sick of looking at it. But I also understand where you are coming from, so I have reported it to the council... Again. I have a feeling that it is council owned as majority of the houses are council.

theonlywayisup

PeaIn2Pods said:

elsien said:

There are limits on what the council can do without the property owners consent if it’s not council owned.
My council wouldn’t clear graffiti of a wall near me because the plaster was crumbling and they thought they’d be hit with a large bill if the clean up damaged it further.
Sibling’s council wouldn’t tackle graffiti on his wall (he was willing to pay) because they said it wasn’t offensive. One person’s offensive is another’s day to day speech. 

Spray painting someone else’s  property could certainly land you in strife if the property - how would you like some random person spray painting your garage?  How likely are you to be seen doing it if someone complains? 

If it means cleaning off vulgar language then I would not complain. I'm not doing it to cause strife, I care about the area I live in and I am sick of looking at it. But I also understand where you are coming from, so I have reported it to the council... Again. I have a feeling that it is council owned as majority of the houses are council.

Could it be deemed threatening or abusive words causing harassment, alarm or distress?  If so, whilst not something I would normally advocate but speaking to your local PCSO may prompt action apropos Section 5 Public Order Act. 

Bendy_House

Contact the local paper?

Mind you, that'll probably just give the twits the publicity they crave...

plumb1_2

Get a can of spray paint and a ninja suit 

JGB1955

It sounds as if the 'offender(s)' have been given a reparation order.  Perhaps you could contact the local Probation Service and ask them if they know anything about the issue.

Loanranger21

Contact your local councillor. They have power to get the Council to do things.

Norman_Castle

Use your councils complaints method, often easy to do online. Add a photo of the graffiti, your previous requests for them to take action and their ongoing failure to act.

another_casualty

Might be worth mentioning on next door website ..

Brie

Would there be any leverage if you went on knocked on the door and offered your help?  Maybe the residents are also annoyed at how long it's taking and would be willing to permit you to paint it over.  Whether this would be ok with the council (assuming they own it) is debatable but chances are they would arrive to clean it and simply shrug and go away again.