A Brighton property firm has highlighted the cost of what it has described as “ugly illegal tagging and graffiti”.
Stiles Harold Williams (SHW) said: “There has been insufficient action regarding the illegal ‘tagging’ and general defacement of buildings in the city.
“Thousands of pounds per year can be spent on just one property to remove the scrawlings, only for them to be replaced within days.
“Recent press coverage has focused on some of the more creative and eye-catching street art in the city but many areas of Brighton and Hove are covered with ‘tags’ and ugly thoughtless doodling.
“It is clearly displayed on the Brighton and Hove City Council website that ‘it is illegal to graffiti on any surface without the owner’s permission’.”
SHW partner Robert Perry said: “We can all applaud the satirical artistic merit of Banksy and his ilk, and some street art in Brighton and Hove is well done.
“However, a large proportion of it is just tagging which is an expensive blight on the city and its commercial and residential property owners.
“In 28 years’ property management in the city I’ve never known it as bad as this.
“Repeatedly trying to keep these buildings clean uses up valuable time, resources and money – and we would appreciate greater support from the council and police alike in dealing with the issue.”
Graffiti is criminal damage and should be prosecuted as such.
“Banksy and his ilk”? Have I just woken in a Victorian melodrama?