'Graffiti makes area feel unloved and uncared for'

"It's like living in a gallery, the street art is beautiful and vibrant but the tagging makes the area feel unloved and uncared for," Brighton resident Emma Humphries said.

Humphreys is one of a group of locals armed with rollers and buckets of paint cleaning up graffiti tags from the North Laine area in the city.

The colourful, bohemian area is known for its street art, including Banksy's famous 2004 Kissing Coppers mural.

Humphreys, who is part of North Laine Community Association, said: "We have residents whose houses get tagged again and again, every time they go to sleep. They're distressed - they're really anxious about it.

"We came up with the idea of giving anti-tagging kits to residents. There's been a group here for 10 years or more.

"Having a kit that's small and easy to use, we're hoping that people will look after the area around them.

"When you paint out a tag, it comes back slower. There have been global studies, rapid response means tags come back slower and slower.

"We've seen that in North Laine."

Rosemary Rimmer-Clay, 72, lives in the area but said she had considered moving away due to repeated graffiti on her home.

"I'm very concerned by the vandalism, it's criminal vandalism," she said.

"They come out in the middle of the night, spray the wall and run off. You don't know when they're coming. You feel under siege.

"It's wonderful that people are coming together and beating the vandals."

Sussex Police said it recognised the impact graffiti could have on residents, businesses and the wider community.

"Tackling graffiti offences and criminal damage remains a priority for local policing teams," the force added.

It said officers carry out regular high-visibility patrols in affected areas and that it gathers intelligence to target resources where they are needed most.

Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services for Brighton & Hove City Council, said the anti-tagging kits were a "brilliant idea".

He told BBC Radio Sussex the tools could help small businesses and residents to clear graffiti from private properties.

When asked if he thought the target of zero tagging was achievable, Rowkins said: "Regular clearing could act as a deterrent.

"People who graffiti want it to stay forever but when they realise it's gone the next day, they might think twice about doing it again."

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