Graffiti on the walls of a Caribbean variety store on Peckham High Street. Photo: Emma Bogue

Southwark Council has launched its week long campaign removing graffiti free of charge from local businesses on Peckham High Street. 

The removal of graffiti from spray paint targeted areas in Peckham began on Monday, November 13th. Southwark Council have made it clear that they will continue to clean other known hotspots in the borough over the forthcoming weeks. 

Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, Councillor James McAsh has appeared in a video posted on Southwark Council’s Twitter/ X page announcing the news on social media. 

McAsh wrote on the Southwark Council’s website: “Graffiti, not to be confused with public art, is a growing concern for residents and businesses across the borough.” 

“Given the ongoing cost of living emergency, we understand many businesses are struggling to keep afloat and struggle to cover clean up costs themselves. We are here to help.”

Pictured in Peckham, Cllr James McAsh kickstarts the graffiti cleanup. Photo: Southwark Council/ Twitter/ X

Statistics by the Metropolitan Police suggest that graffiti and vandalism is on the rise as an annual report from 2023 showed that the total number of criminal damage offences reported, this includes graffiti, was 51,912. 

According to Southwark Council, over 1,551 issues around the area were fixed over the month of November. This includes other concerns like fly- tipping and broken pavement slabs. Those who live in the borough of Southwark or in the Peckham area can report graffiti using an online forum on the Southwark Council’s website or through the council’s FixMyStreet app.

The council has also stated in their announcement that they hope to explore more community arts initiatives through the use of public murals around Peckham, bringing together locals to create unique and vibrant street art in the area.