Modern Perspectives on Graffiti

Introduction.

A research project into the perceptions of graffiti by certain

individuals and groups can be seen as having grounding in both

sociology and criminology. The sociology of deviance and delinquency

in urban areas, as well as the socio-historical development of

graffiti as a cultural practice provides a basis for further research

into the effects of this phenomenon. In terms of criminology, the

extent to which the police and local authorities see graffiti as a

problem is also worth investigating. Various theses have analysed the

link between minor offences such as low level property crime, and the

perceptions of certain public spaces as run down or insecure. As

students of sociology the five researchers involved in this project

have an interest in how graffiti provokes a societal reaction to the

changing environment of these spaces. In addition to this, all of the

researchers have some limited experience of criminological studies

which would be enhanced by an analysis of how government legislation

and local initiatives have affected communities and individuals

exposed to graffiti.

In terms of government legislation, graffiti as a form vandalism is a

criminal offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. This act,

supplement by section 33(1) of the Magistrates Court Act 1980, gives

penalties for minor vandalism such as graffiti as a maximum 2500 fine

or up to 3 months imprisonment. The act also makes possession of the

tools of graffiti illegal where they are intended to cause damage.

Under New Labour, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 gave rise to

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). This allowed police and local

authorities to restrict the movement or behaviours of any individuals,

over 10 years old, who where found to cause a nuisance to others. As

public concerns grew, the 2003 Anti Social Behaviour Unit proposed new

measures to reinforce the control of such behaviour as graffiti. These

new measures included the use of fixed penalty notices for 16 year

olds found defacing properties; banning the sale of spray paint to

under 18s; new police search powers; and power for councils to tackle

graffiti on the streets. In Greater Manchester, a police metro unit,

like others in the UK, has proactively been trying to identify

perpetual graffiti artists through photographing examples on public

transport and contacting local schools. There have also been attempts

to trace the sale of aerosol cans and marker pens back to the

graffitist. Government legislation though, may be responsible for

deterring some of those engaged in graffiti, but some suggest that

without such legislation there would be less incidents of this

particular property crime.

less restraint yielding less motivation to resist. (Cavan, 1995)

Traditionally local initiatives have seen the removal of graffiti in