Unwanted graffiti - why it’s essential to get it cleaned up quickly
Category: Graffiti
Unwanted graffiti or tagging is often seen as a clear sign that a neighbourhood is starting to go downhill. It can start with just one tag or slogan scrawled on a building then, just as one broken window inevitably leads to more, copycat tags and slogans start to follow and their rapid proliferation makes it increasingly difficult and costly to get things cleaned up.
Left un-addressed, unwanted graffiti has a very negative impact on a community; it makes residents feel that their area is not cared about which in turn starts to lower their self-esteem. And it, of course, lowers property prices of both residential and commercial premises, and businesses suffer the additional downside of loss of revenue due to the negative image is portrayed.
The more social disorder and graffiti in a neighbourhood, the louder the message is sent that "nobody cares." This sets off a vicious cycle that encourages further crime in affected neighbourhoods.
The Los Angeles Police Department
Negative, unwanted graffiti not wall art!
Let’s be clear, we are talking here about negative, unwanted graffiti, not ‘wall art’. Bristol is famous for its cutting-edge street art, and was home to the now world famous Banksy whose work sells for hundreds of thousands of pounds. The City Council actually provides special public spaces for graffiti artists to allow them to produce their artwork legally. Moreover, murals are often commissioned specifically to help deter vandals from defacing vulnerable buildings. But uninvited, offensive, unwanted graffiti, that is a different matter altogether.
Inner city war zones
Tagging carries the biggest stigma. Inner-city gangs use graffiti tagging to mark out their territory and send coded messages to rival gangs, such as boasts of exploits or warnings. This behaviour can create veritable ‘war zone’ and pose a very real threat to residents or passers-by. When this happens, people will avoid these spaces, so that the gangs have, in effect, taken possession of them. Tagging is taken seriously in the UK and the Home Office offers a reward to anyone who can give information relating to consistent offenders. There is also a national database of tags run by the British Transport Police, while local authorities also have their own databases of tags often seen within their locality.
Ways to prevent Graffiti
- Keep the area clean and tidy - badly kept property attracts vandals
- Create barriers, a fence makes it harder to access and deface a surface
- Plants shrubs or bushes, thorny bushes add extra deterrent
- Improve lighting, motion detection lighting is a good option.
- Add security cameras and warn that the area is monitored.
- Remove graffiti within 24 to 48 hours
Act quickly to avoid graffiti spreading
It has been proven that the best way to deal with unwanted graffiti is to remove tags or slogans very quickly – within 24 – 48 hours is the recommended time frame. Repeat offenders prefer places where their work is left up uncleaned so are likely to go elsewhere. A Bristol based business, The Jet Washing Company, offers local property owners and managers a fast and efficient way of doing this. Their unique SteamPLUS system uses pressurised steam to clean off unwanted tags graffiti in no time, without leaving ‘ghost’ shadows – the marks often left behind when more traditional cleaning methods are used. No harmful chemicals are needed, while using pressurised steam also reduces potential damage to vulnerable surfaces such as softer stone. The jet Washing Company promise to remove the offending graffiti within 24 hours of notification, helping prevent copycat tags from appearing. They can also apply special anti-graffiti treatment in more vulnerable, frequently targeted areas to help make it more difficult for vandals to re-offend.
The Jet Washing Company is working alongside Out of Hand, a local print and distribution company, to help clean up run down public areas and abandoned zones, reclaiming them for public use. Communities can then step in to keep these areas looking clean, attractive and well looked after. In some cases, they can get additional help from the council with planting, landscaping or to put in strategic lighting to further deter offenders.
For more information about our graffiti cleaning service contact Max or Andy Morris on 0333 234 1445 or email your enquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
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