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The NSW Government has introduced tough new laws to combat graffiti vandalism. For more information about graffiti-related legislation in NSW click here.
What can we do about graffiti vandalism?
There are a number of ways you can assist in combating graffiti vandalism in your local area. These include:
- Reporting graffiti vandalism and graffiti vandals to NSW Police through the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.police.nsw.gov.au
- Removing graffiti from your own property quickly (within 24-48 hours) as rapid removal significantly reduces the chance of graffiti vandalism reoccurring. For more information go to Removing graffiti
- Using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies to minimise the likelihood of your property being damaged by graffiti vandalism. For more information go to Preventing graffiti vandalism
- Participating in volunteer programs to remove or manage graffiti vandalism. You can contact your local council to see if they run a volunteer program. For more information on volunteer programs go to Fact sheet 7 - Volunteer removal programs
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Schools
Responding to graffiti vandalism in schools
(adapted from the Department of Education and Training safety and security directorate)
Incidents of graffiti vandalism in schools can take many forms. The most distressing is personalised graffiti directed at staff members or particular students. This form of graffiti vandalism is usually committed by someone within the school environment.
Another common form of graffiti vandalism is tag graffiti. This form of graffiti vandalism is placed in public places for display or message delivery purposes.
Graffiti vandals claim their tags are art, but in most cases they are simply malicious damage to the building upon which they are placed.
Suggestions for dealing with graffiti vandalism:
- Quick removal - research has shown that the quicker offending graffiti is removed, the less likelihood there is of repeat attacks
- Photographing instances of graffiti vandalsim - the offending graffiti should be photographed for future reference. This can assist in identifying the graffiti vandal.Keeping school staff informed - school staff should be shown photographs of tags and made aware of the nature of graffiti. It is likely that the person placing graffiti vandalism on school buildings may be a student, in which case it is likely that their school bag or personal items may have their tag displayed in some way.
- Prevention and education - modules in the Crime Prevention Workshop program deal with graffiti. Where there is a prevalence of graffiti vandalism attacks, presentation of the module should be considered. Contact your district office or Police Local Area Command for more information about the program.
Information for teachers
Educating students about the damage done by graffiti can work towards developing a respect for their community and the property of others. It also promotes core values such as integrity, responsibility and fairness. The actions of a few individuals can have a detrimental effect on the aesthetics of a community.
Teachers may address the issue of graffiti vandalism through integration into the curriculum or in special student welfare events. Where graffiti vandalism is a problem in the school or local community, teachers may include discussion or learning activities that relate to civic responsibility and the protection of the environment in which they live.
Students can be given the opportunity to discuss their attitudes and feelings about the impact graffiti has on them, their families and their community. Allow students to examine the possible consequences of being involved in any form of graffiti vandalism and the effect it may have on themselves, their peers, their families and their community.
The Crime Prevention Workshop program is available to government and non-government schools. It involves teachers working with police officers to provide lessons on a variety of topics relating to anti-social behaviour and crime. There are modules in this program that focus on graffiti vandalism as well as arson, malicious damage, crime avoidance and crime stoppers.
To arrange a workshop or to obtain further information regarding the Crime Prevention Workshop program, contact your local police youth liaison officer or school liaison police officer. Teachers in government schools may also contact their regional student welfare consultant for information about the program.
Preventing graffiti vandalism
- Encourage a climate of respect and pride in the school and its resources amongst students and staff.
- Promote a sense of civic responsibility amongst staff and students.
- Encourage respect for other people and their property.
- Restrict the possession and use of spray paint, marker pens, white-out implements, etc.
- Restrict access to school premises during non-school hours.
- Implement a SchoolWatch program. SchoolWatch is a volunteer program that enlists school staff, students and the local community in preventing and reporting crime on school property during out-of-school hours. The program, similar to Neighbourhood Watch, involves looking, listening, observing and reporting. In government schools, SchoolWatch programs are initiated by the school’s P&C Association in consultation with the School Security Unit.
- Supervise and monitor areas where graffiti vandalism is most likely to occur (e.g. change rooms and toilets).
- Regularly monitor classrooms (walls, desks, chairs, noticeboards and windows) and report any graffiti vandalism so that it can be removed as soon as possible.
- Conduct Crime Prevention Workshops for students.
Responding to graffiti vandalism
Personalised graffiti vandalism
The most distressing form of graffiti vandalism is personalised attacks (hate graffiti vandalism) on staff or students. This graffiti vandalism is usually written in marker pen or other writing implement and is most often committed by someone from within the school. This form of graffiti vandalism is a form of harassment and intimidation and must not be tolerated. Such malicious attacks need to be removed immediately and investigated to prevent further occurrences. Students responsible for the graffiti vandalism should be managed according to the school’s discipline and welfare policies. Support should be provided to the victim of such attacks.
Tagging
Tagging involves the display of a message or design in a public place. It is usually done with thick marker pens or spray paint. graffiti vandals often claim that their tag is a form of ‘art’, however, unless the graffiti vandal has permission from the owner of the premises the placement of graffiti is vandalism or malicious damage and is an offence.
Reporting incidents of graffiti vandalism
Staff and students need to be vigilant and report any incidents of graffiti vandalism to the appropriate person within the school.
Both staff and students need to take pride in their school and protect it from graffiti vandalism. Students need to feel comfortable in reporting graffiti vandalism to staff so that it can be quickly removed. This may also include students reporting people they know who have been responsible for placing graffiti vandalism on school, staff or student property.
Staff should be shown photographs of tag graffiti vandalism in the school. It is likely that the person responsible may be a student and, therefore, have their tag displayed on their belongings or in workbooks.
Removal of graffiti
Graffiti should be removed as quickly as possible after informing the police. Research has shown that the sooner the graffiti is removed, the less likelihood there is of repeat attacks.
Reports to police can be made directly to the Local Area Command or via the Police Assistance Line (131 444). Local police will advise when the graffiti can be removed. It may be wise to photograph the graffiti before it is removed. Evidence of the graffiti may assist in identifying those responsible.
In government schools, if the damage is done by persons who are not students of the school and occurs out of school hours, the Maintenance Contractor should be contacted to remove the graffiti. This will be a claim on the Managed Fund. If the damage was caused by students from the school and occurred during school hours the school is responsible for removal and repair.
Graffiti is malicious damage and should be managed accordingly. Students responsible for graffiti may be required to clean it off and repair any damage. Parents of students responsible may be asked to pay for graffiti removal and repair of damaged property.
In some areas, local councils have graffiti clean-up teams. Liaise with the local council regarding graffiti management in your area.
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Businesses
The NSW Government has introduced tough new laws to combat graffiti vandalism. The NSW Government introduced the Graffiti Control Act 2008 (the Act)to prevent graffiti vandalism. The legislation and associated regulations have many implications for retailers.
It is illegal to sell spray paint cans to minors and offending retailers are liable to a maximum fine of $1,100 under Section 7 of The Act. A fine of $1,100 may be issued to retailers who do not properly secure spray paint cans. The Graffiti Control Regulation 2009specifies that spray paint cans must be properly secured:
- In a locked cabinet, or
- In or behind a counter so that customers cannot gain access to the can without the assistance of shop staff, or
- On a shelf of height 2.1 metres or more, or
- In any other manner prescribed by the regulations.
For more information about graffiti-related legislation in NSW click here.
Contact your local council to find out the services and assistance provided to manage graffiti vandalism.
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Councils
Graffiti Management in NSW
Graffiti Management Model
Resources
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