Graffiti in Leeds

For the 'What If...' brief, our group decided with a problem based on the statements we devised individually (mine being 'Leeds has a diverse visual landscape'. Our problem was: "How to make graffiti more socially acceptable." due to its existing negative connotations (explained on the design practice blog). The following information can be found on the Leeds government website which explains their views on graffiti and how they propose to remove the graffiti.

Graffiti Removal Service

(found here)

Leeds city council has zero tolerance towards graffiti. One of the key aims of our strategy is to work in partnership with organisations to ensure that graffiti is being removed from their property, for example bus stops, telephone booths, walls etc.

Organisations in the partnership

• Leeds city council
• West north west homes
• Aire valley homes
• East north east homes
• British Telecommunications
• Network Rail
• British Waterways
• West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (WYPTE)
• Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd (YEDL)
• Southern Electric Contracting (part of the Tay Valley Lighting Consortium)
• Virgin Media

Each of these organisations have arrangements in place for graffiti removal from their property and welcome reports from members of the public. Leeds' ALMOs (West north west homes, Aire valley homes and East north east homes) are responsible for the removal of graffiti from all the properties they manage. Leeds City Council is responsible for all other council owned property.  Contact details for each organisation that can be found on the download.  

Timescales for graffiti removal

The partnership organisations have agreed to remove graffiti within the following timescales:

Racist or offensive graffiti - within 24 hours
Other graffiti - 7 to 14 working days

Exceptional circumstances - average 28 days except where rail line closures are necessary.  This may take up to 8 weeks to arrange.

Leeds City Council graffiti teams

We have six graffiti teams. One covers the city centre and is a fast response crew who aim to remove any hate graffiti within 24 hours. The other five crews each look after a wedge of the city. Leeds city council will carry out graffiti removal on private property on request but there will be a charge for this service.Where organisations fail to tackle graffiti on their property, the council will take appropriate enforcement action.