Local Priorities Vandalism/ graffiti Message

I wanted to provide an update regarding Vandalism/ graffiti, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

On the 14th of August 2025, Officers on foot patrol noticed male spray painting on the side of disused fence by police officers. Officers approached and was stop and searched by officers for item to be used for going equipped to criminal damage. On finding three additional can of spray paint officers gave the suspect a community resolution to no longer carry spray paint without a legitimate reason and to not be caught by police spraying graffiti.

We want to ensure everyone is able to keep their property safe from vandalism or defacement in your local area. As such, through conversations with homeowners, members of the public, police officers and staff we’ve collated our 5 Top Tips for safeguarding a property. Please see the advice listed below:

• Stay visible: Having a property that can’t be seen from the street may make it more susceptible to being a target of vandalism. Make sure you are limiting places around your property where vandals can hide. 
• Create a fence/boundary: By doing this, you’re creating a visible barrier that works as a reminder that if someone crosses uninvited, they would be trespassing. 
• Keep it secure: Evaluate your property and be sure to safeguard vulnerable points such as ground floor windows with one-metre high sharp, prickly bushes. 
• Extra security: If you have a surface which anyone can sit on – like a ledge or a low wall – some carefully placed plants can work as a good deterrent. Also, you can secure the side and rear boundary of your property with a two-metre-high fence topped with a trellis.
• Keep it tidy: If the property looks untidy, some people won’t think twice about adding to it or simply hanging around in the area. We would advise you not to leave rubbish, ladders, wheelie bins or anything else that could be used for burglary or vandalism in the property's vicinity. 

For more advice and up-to-the-minute information about the latest crime prevention products, visit Secured by Design – an official police security initiative.

 We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years, and we want to make sure you have had the chance to have your say. The consultation paper is available online, as well as a survey to let us know what you think. This closes on the 15 September.