In the current year 99 per cent of the most offensive graffiti is being cleared within 24 hours. For all other forms a removal rate of 93 per cent is being achieved within a turn-round time of three days.

The Wandsworth service, which is free to residents, is backed by an annual budget of £665,000. It holds a Government charter mark for quality.

Cabinet member for housing Martin Johnson said:

"It is because we take such pride in our borough that we are prepared to invest heavily in keeping it clean. We face a constant round of education and enforcement to ensure we stay on top of the challenge."

"You only have to visit other parts of London to see what can happen when a council fails to take the problem seriously. This is a flagship service which makes a real difference to the quality of life in Wandsworth."

The council offers a £1,000 reward for evidence leading to the conviction of a graffiti vandal.

Where graffiti is found to be racist or abusive the council aims to remove it within 24 hours.
If it is a tag or non-abusive, once the team has obtained the permission of the landowner, the
aim is to remove it within three days.


November 1, 2005