Milton Keynes City Council has further stepped up efforts to tackle graffiti, removing more than 5,400 pieces in 2024 alone.
Working alongside businesses and partners through the Safety, Theft, Anti-Social Behaviour, and Retail Crime Taskforce (START), which it helped to found, the city council is determined to prevent and deter graffiti, which can blight the city’s welcoming and open appearance.
A dedicated team has been set up, equipped with a multi-purpose van fitted with a pressure washer to remove graffiti at speed after instances are reported. The team also carry graffiti wipes and in cases where cleaning isn’t possible, paint is used to cover vandalism.
Work is also underway to introduce a new Artificial Intelligence tool to analyse reports and manage the likely resource needed to tackle future vandalism. Additional CCTV is also planned as a deterrent.
Weekly inspections have been introduced in the city centre, with daily checks in priority areas. Further work is being done to ensure graffiti on private land visible to the public is removed. The city council will always try to work with the property owner in the first instance and won’t hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fail to comply.
“Graffiti vandalism simply isn’t acceptable. It takes an incredible amount of resource to manage this issue, and my thanks go out to the team and partners who are working hard to tackle it. By using the latest technology, targeted enforcement, and strong partnerships, we’re making a real difference. But let me be clear—graffiti will not be tolerated and we won’t hesitate to take action against vandals.”
Anyone wishing to report graffiti can do so through the city council’s website.
