Graffiti on council-owned property

You can report graffiti on underpasses, buildings, and other public areas and we will remove if it is:

  • racist, offensive or abusive graffiti
  • on council-owned property

We can't clean property owned by Transport for London.

We will remove non-offensive graffiti within 10 working days. 

If the graffiti is offensive (racist or abusive), we will remove it within 1 working day.

Report graffiti

Graffiti on private property

Private homes, businesses and shops are responsible for removing graffiti from their property.

We will only remove graffiti if it's offensive (racist or abusive) and visible from the public highway.

You can request our team to remove graffiti from your property for a cost. Email neighbourhoodservice@sutton.gov.uk to arrange an inspection and quotation.

We won't remove any graffiti from private properties without a signed disclaimer form.

Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, local authorities have the power to issue clean-up notices to owners of graffiti-covered surfaces.

The notice will state that if the property is not cleaned within 28 days, the local authority will remove the graffiti itself and charge the owner any related costs for these works.

Further information can be found on Legislation.gov.uk.

Tips for preventing graffiti:

  • think about using anti-graffiti paint
  • plant shrubs or climbers next to walls and fences if possible
  • keep a small tin of matching coloured paint to hand for painted surfaces
  • remove it quickly and often - vandals are less likely to target you then

Graffiti on other property (managed by other organisations)

Railways

We can't clean graffiti if the property is inaccessible without trespassing.

You should report graffiti on railway property to Network Rail. You can call 0845 711 4141 or report to Network Rail online.

TFL Bus shelters

You can report this on the Transport for London website.

Royal Mail Postboxes 

Postboxes are the responsibility of Royal Mail to maintain.  You can report issue directly to them at Help with Royal Mail postboxes.

Street utility boxes

Street utility boxes are the responsibility of the phone or electricity company that owns them.

You will need to report any graffiti to that company.

If you're not sure who owns the utility box, most have a manhole cover in front which will have the company name on.

BT Cabinets

You can report this by calling 0800 023 2023 and choosing Option 1.

You will be connected to an advisor who will ask for the location of the cabinet.

BT Phone boxes

You can report this on the BT website.

Virgin Media Cabinets

You can report this by calling 0330 333 0444.

Their phone reporting service is automated. You should provide as much information as you can, such as the address of the nearest property and the postcode.

At the end of the call, you will be given a reference number.

EE & Hutchison 3G Masts & Cabinets

You can report this by calling 0808 1214 123.

You can also report to the Physical Security Operations Centre at Mobile Broadband Network Limited using the email mbnl.psoc@ctrservices.co.uk.