Graffiti - reporting and removal

We are committed to removing graffiti which is on Council property as quickly as possible.

There are five main priorities in dealing with graffiti removal:-

• Graffiti on City Council property
• Other public property such as street furniture, bus shelters and telephone boxes
• Racist, offensive and abusive graffiti
• Privately owned houses
• Council housing and Housing Association property.

We aim to remove graffiti which we are responsible for within 20 days.  On other property such as County Council, University, Exeter College and similar property, we will pass your request to them and encourage them to act as quickly as possible.

On shops, offices, industrial and transport company property, we will contact the owner asking them to take action.

We aim to remove racist or offensive graffiti within 48 hours of reporting.  However the removal time may depend on restraints imposed by circumstances, for example, where the graffiti needs specialist equipment or the owners permission is required.

Residents are encouraged to remove graffiti from their own private property wherever possible (please see our tips on graffiti removal below).   We also offer residents further advice on removal, prevention and self help measures.  Please contact us if you would like further advice.

If you live in Council Housing or Housing Association property please tell us and we will contact your Estate Manager who should arrange for its removal.

Report Graffiti

If you want to report an incident of graffiti please use our online system:

• Report graffiti in a public place

You can also report graffiti by completing and returning the form below:

•  Reporting Graffiti [335kb]

Reporting Graffiti to the Police

Devon and Cornwall Police

If you are a victim of graffiti that has resulted in damage to your own residential or business property, please report the crime to Devon and Cornwall Police on 101.  However if you see an incidence of graffiti occurring, you should report this to the Police on 999 at the time; it will help the Police if you can describe the perpetrators.

Graffiti is a crime that affects the whole community.  Exeter City Council works closely with the Police and other partners to identify and deal with those engaged in criminal damage and graffiti in the City.  You can see more information about the partnership working by visiting our The Writings on the Wall Facebook page.

Graffiti Removal - Residential Property

• Graffiti is a community problem - we ask residents to remove or paint out graffiti wherever possible from their own property.
• The quicker graffiti is cleaned off, the easier it is to remove.
• We offer residents further advice on removal, prevention and self help measures, please contact us if you would like further advice or visit the The Writings on the Wall Facebook Page.

Graffiti Removal - Business Premises

• Businesses and shops are responsible for removing the graffiti from their own property.
• Please contact us for advice and details of specialist companies that offer graffiti removal.
• Graffiti removal products are available from local stockists.  The manufacturer's instructions and safety instructions should be noted carefully before use and product should first be tested on a small area.  If in any doubt, advice from specialist graffiti removal companies should be sought.

Prevention and Anti-Graffiti Tips

• The quicker and more frequently graffiti is removed, the less likely vandals are to strike again.
• Keep a small tin of matching coloured paint to hand to paint out graffiti on painted surfaces.
• Planting shrubs or growing climbers up walls and fences, where suitable, will help to discourage graffiti.
• Consider using anti-graffiti coatings - please contact us for further information.