Graffiti Removal and Prevention
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Please take a moment to read the information on this page before reporting a graffiti 'hotspot'.
Our Aim:
To remove graffiti from Council owned property and work in partnership with the private sector to help us achieve our overall aim of a clean ‘graffiti free’ environment.
Facts & Figures
- We inspect and remove graffiti from Council owned street furniture on 1,900km of roads
- We remove on average over 4,000m2 of graffiti every year
- We photograph and document all graffiti removed
What we do
We usually remove graffiti by gently blasting it with either water or compressed air combined with a cleaning agent.
We specialise in removing graffiti from external surfaces such as brick, stone and concrete.
For very small areas with restricted access or for surfaces that are tiled, we have a range of liquid and gel type graffiti removers.
When we clean, we need to thoroughly wash down the area after it has been treated. The cleaning agents pose no risk to health or the environment.
We aim to remove all offensive graffiti within 24 hours of it being reported.
What we clean
We are responsible for the street furniture within the highway which is owned by Sheffield City Council. We also work with other Council departments to ensure that Council owned buildings are predominantly graffiti free.
Graffiti applied to privately owned houses remains the responsibility of the owner to remove. Street Force do offer a free graffiti removal service but we may require an indemnity form signing by before work starts.
What we don’t clean
- Graffiti from areas where we have not obtained prior permission from the owners
- Areas where graffiti is not accessible to our operatives
- Areas where the surface is likely to be damaged by the removal process – other less abrasive options would need to be explored
What about graffiti on other property?
Privately owned street furniture (i.e. BT cabinets, post boxes) remain the responsibility of their owners. As a member of the public you have the option to contact them direct to request that they clean an item of furniture. If you would prefer us to report the graffiti, please provide us with details of the affected site.
Graffiti on commercial premises remains the responsibility of the owners to remove. As this sometimes requires specialist knowledge, we can offer them advice and a graffiti removal service. To assist the commercial sector, the Sheffield Graffiti Charter is available. Members ensure that their premises remain graffiti free and play a valuable part in ensuring their local environment is graffiti free.
How can I prevent graffiti attacks?
We cannot stop vandals from returning to attack your property but we can ensure that it is easier to remove the graffiti next time. Cleaning problems can be considerably reduced if protective wall coatings are applied on surfaces prior to graffiti attacks. Coatings prevent the graffiti permeating the brick, stone, mortar, etc. allowing for simple, quick and therefore cheaper removal.
We provide free advice on preventative measures for dealing with graffiti attacks.
How to Report Graffiti
Online
Please use our Online graffiti reporting form
By Telephone
Call our helpline on (0114) 273 4567
By Mini-Com, Fax, Letter or Email
See Contact Street Force for details.
Whichever way you choose to contact us please, if possible, tell us where the graffiti is located, and who owns the property the graffiti is on (if you know). If you know who is applying the graffiti please contact the Single Non Emergency Number - 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.