Professional graffiti removal is a painstaking process which uses specialist techniques in order to clean off the paint while preserving the surface and not cause further damage. Graffiti can be devastating for victims and communities and it’s important to remember that this form of vandalism is a punishable crime. That said, even we can’t fail to be astonished by some of the facts about graffiti, which we’ve captured into an infographic (and also mentioned in our Art vs vandalism blog). For example, did you know…
Tagging is often credited to Darryl McCray, who famously went by the nickname Cornbread. In his attempts to woo a girl, he wrote “Cornbread loves Cynthia” all around his hometown in Philadelphia (it worked). At the same time - the late 1960s - graffiti was evolving in New York, borne out of hip hop culture. It soon reached Europe and the rest, as they say…
Street art is widely accepted. Interestingly 87% of large pieces (as they’re known), are usually commissioned by property owners. In some parts of the world, such as Valparaiso in Chile, property owners are honoured when their surfaces are chosen as a canvas and artists commonly sign off using their Instagram handle - no reprisal there.
👇 Take a look at our infographic for more facts 👇
The less fun facts
Prolific British graffitist, 10 Foot, claims to have tagged structures in hundreds of locations around the world, with his work spotted in Albania, Iceland, Guadalajara and Kuwait, to mention a mere handful, costing thousands in related costs. He was arrested in 2010, but continues to tag today. Much of his ‘work’ can be found in London.
In some cases, vandals are caught and brought to justice. One graffiti artist in Dorchester was ordered to pay £4,000+ in compensation to their victims, following a week-long crime spree that mainly poked fun at the local police.
Keeping on top of graffiti is a hugely expensive task. Councils in London spent £100 million on removing it in 2022, as there were so many reported cases (29,000 in Hackney alone). Network Rail pays out £20 million annually, with fines mounting up daily for stock that is out of action (check out some before and after photos of our work removing graffiti from trains). National Highways can pay up to £10,000 to clean up just one vandalised surface, owing to the traffic management safety precautions necessary for working alongside busy roads.
Eleven per cent of people surveyed by ONS feel that graffiti is a public concern. While this may seem low, graffiti is often a precursor for further and more serious anti-social crime which has more significant implications.
The facts speak for themselves; while the history of graffiti is interesting and offers us a fascinating insight into the past, modern graffiti is little more than the thoughtless, sometimes offensive, defacement of public buildings.
If you’re one of those people who views graffiti as a very real issue, or perhaps has experienced this type of vandalism, either on your own property or in the community, then we’re here to help. Our graffiti removal service comes with the reassurance of a fast response and specialist expertise. We can even chat to you about deterrents and prevention measures. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year, so get in touch to talk to us about your challenges.
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