Graffiti

We are responsible for the removal of graffiti from public areas including parks and public buildings. 

What is graffiti?

  • Graffiti is an illegal and anti-social activity that creates a negative impression of an area and contributes to people's fear of crime.

  • Graffiti is the most common type of property vandalism.

  • Graffiti is often the first element in a spiral of decline. If graffiti is not removed others will feel free to add to it.

  • Its artistic merits are irrelevant. It represents one group of people imposing themselves on everyone else and as such is a form of pollution, like people playing loud music.

  • Graffiti is also a green issue as it is an attack on the environment. The cost of cleaning up graffiti is enormous and is difficult to eradicate completely.

Preventing graffiti

There are a number of tools available to tackle the problem of graffiti. The Government has introduced a ban on the sale of spray paints to under 16's to tackle the source of the problem by taking away the means to graffiti.

  • Planting shrubs and other vegetation to make vulnerable areas inaccessible

  • Prompt removal

  • Use materials (for example trellising) and surfaces that make graffiti vandalism difficult

  • Education

  • Apply a clear coat finish to protect painted and unpainted surfaces and use protective film coverings on windows

  • Report graffiti for removal as soon as it is seen by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..If you see anyone committing vandalism, report it to us via the Pride Line, Police, school authorities, or someone who can take action. Remember, vandalism is a crime.

  • You can also report graffiti on the Derbyshire County Council website.

  • Use of pastel shades for communal areas rather than white, magnolia or traditional colours reduces graffiti attacks.

Step up security

  • Install some type of security camera.

  • Organise a 'Business Watch' with nearby shopkeepers to keep tabs on a business area. Businesses may want to employ security personnel to monitor property.

  • Don't allow a 'legal wall' or an area that permits graffiti, at your business; they are largely ineffective and may draw more graffiti vandals to the area.

  • Employ graffiti resistant materials or coatings on a chronically hit wall.

What we will do

  • We remove graffiti from public areas including parks and public buildings.

  • We remove racist or obscene graffiti within 24 hours if it is on council owned land. With regard to private land we will ask our Neighbourhood Wardens to visit the owner and ask them to remove it.

  • We remove reported graffiti on permissible public buildings/structures within seven days.

When graffiti appears on council owned property, we will aim to remove it as soon as possible from the time we receive the report.

Non Permissible areas include stakeholder property, which we do not have permission to clear and material over three metres high.

Non permissible areas also include:

  • Post Boxes

  • Bus Shelters

  • Electrical Substations

  • Telephone boxes or kiosks

  • Railway land and property

Contact us:

Pride-line : 0115 850 8383 (24 hours confidential hotline).

Complete an on-line form through your My Erewash login.

For out-of-hours emergencies please call 0115 907 2244.