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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Mr. Byrne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) obligations are incumbent on and (b) powers are at the disposal of local authorities to clean (i) publicly and (ii) privately owned properties of graffiti; and if he will make a statement. [209374] Phil Hope: In 2002, the cross-government review "Living Places: Powers, Rights and Responsibilities" consulted on obligation and powers for tackling environmental crimes, including graffiti. Since then we have strengthened and streamlined powers to tackle graffiti. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 included powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for graffiti on public property, enabling local authorities to issue such notices to people who commit "minor" acts of graffiti and to allow all local authorities to retain income from Fixed Penalty Notices issued for graffiti for use in local environmental improvements. In the case of graffiti on private buildings owners are expected to remove it. However, Section 48-52 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act introduced new powers to enable local authorities to issue graffiti removal notices against the owners of property in or on the street where this is not done. The "Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill" currently before Parliament proposes further clauses to vary the level of fixed penalty notices, require the name and address of those receiving fixed penalties and extend "authorised officers" able to issue notices. It also proposes a duty on local weights and measures authorities to undertake enforcement of their powers to tackle the sale of spray paints to children under 16 to try reduce the incidence of graffiti.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

209374; 429 c995-6W;429 c994-5W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Anti-social behaviour Crimes against property Fixed penalties Graffiti Fires Private sector Vandalism

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk