How do I request graffiti removal?
 What can I do myself?

How do I request graffiti removal?
The service is available only within the London Borough of Wandsworth on property that can be seen from the public highway and inside communal areas of housing property.

When a report of graffiti is received, the owner of the property on which the graffiti has appeared is asked to complete an agreement form. This authorises the council's contractors to remove graffiti from the property concerned.

Once we have permission to remove the graffiti, an order is raised for the contractor to attend the site. Photographs are taken before and after removal, which can be used to help the police secure a successful prosecution.

If the graffiti is above five metres or there are access restrictions, we will take steps to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible, although this may fall outside our normal target times.

In some cases we may not be able to remove the graffiti but will try to advise you of the situation as soon as possible, once we have investigated all possibilities. In these circumstances you may wish to seek advice from your building insurers.

• Call the graffiti hotline on: (020) 8871 7049
• Email: graffiti@wandsworth.gov.uk
• Fax: (020) 8871 8588
• Text: 07797  805456 - start your message with the word "graffiti", and tell us where the graffiti is.

The quickest way to report graffiti and complete the required forms is online:

• Report graffiti online and consent to the agreement form.
• Or download a copy of the graffiti removal agreement form in pdf format (54 kb).

Forms should be returned to:

Graffiti Manager
Wandsworth Borough Council
17-27 Garratt Lane
London SW18 4AE

 By fax: (020) 8871 8588

What can I do myself?
Graffiti that is removed as quickly as possible can deter repeat attacks.

Most graffiti is removed from very light or very dark coloured walls, so you might consider painting your wall in a neutral mid-range colour. Our graffiti removal operatives only carry standard colours and will obtain a better match if walls are painted in the same colours. If you have spare paint you could cover over the graffiti yourself within hours of it appearing or you could let our contractors do it for you within our normal target times.

When we receive a request to remove graffiti we have to consider whether fully removing it will cause damage to the original surface underneath. If it is possible to completely remove the graffiti then of course we will. If we can't we will paint over the graffiti with a finish that best matches the surrounding surface with a colour to the nearest British standard and a type of paint appropriate for the location.

DIY shops carry a range of graffiti removal products that may provide a solution to small-scale graffiti. Heavy attacks of graffiti on bare brick walls can be treated by specialist graffiti removal contractors who carry a range of products and equipment. Anti graffiti coatings are also available, which can offer some protection to a surface and will make the graffiti removal process easier.  Coatings come in two main types, permanent and sacrificial - the choice of which will depend on the type of surface to be protected. 
Call our graffiti hotline (020) 8871 7049 or email graffiti@wandsworth.gov.uk

Where practical, you might consider fixing trellis to your wall and growing plants such as ivy or prickly varieties of plants which can act as a deterrent to the graffiti vandal.

Think about reporting graffiti damage on your property to the police on (020) 7350 1122 (visit www.online.police.uk). The police can keep a record of the damage being caused in the event of an arrest.