There is a joke that ‘graffiti should be obscene and not heard’, but it is no joke when it is truly foul, can be seen in places frequented by children (such as outside schools), or promotes extremism.
A prime example of this occurred recently on Humberside, where, the BBC reported, vile racist graffiti was sprayed on memorial benches in Hessle.
Because these were movable wooden benches, East Riding of Yorkshire Council took them away to be cleaned and then returned to their original spot at Hessle Foreshore, while police continue to investigate the incident.
However, when it is brick walls that are used as the ‘canvas’ for graffiti, removing them is not an option, so bringing in brick cleaning services is an important step.
Sometimes, graffiti is not necessarily racist or obscene, but may be unsightly and associated with contested causes.
For example, the Manchester Evening News reported this week on a graffiti and red paint attack on an office in central Manchester by a group called Palestine Action. However, the wrong office had been targeted, with the group claiming it had targeted the office of Allianz Trade, which was actually next door to the victims at Buckley Roberts Solicitors.
A member of staff at Buckley Roberts said: “I went to ring 101 but the police had already turned up because Allianz had reported it. We are the innocent party stuck in the middle who have been vandalised.“
There are some exceptional instances where nobody is in a rush to clear up graffiti, however, such as when a picture by Banksy – or something that looks like it – appears.
While many of these can be seen around the pseudonymous street artist’s home city of Bristol, they have appeared across the UK.
Indeed, one of his wall paintings, which appeared on a brick wall in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter depicting Santa’s Reindeers led by Rudolf with his red nose, has been covered in Perspex to ensure its preservation.