Graffiti is a topic of everyday significance to students, business owners, local councils and the wider community. It is evident in our environment wherever we look and civic leaders and legislators take it very seriously.

Different people respond in different ways when they see graffiti. Some see it as ugly, others as a sign of neglect. Some see political and social statements, others anti-authority. Some people feel unsafe, others see it as a crime and wonder what other crimes people might commit. Some see graffiti as art, others as rubbish. Some don’t like it in public spaces, others only object when graffiti appears on their fence.

No matter what our personal responses are, the fact is that applying graffiti to a surface without the owner’s permission is vandalism and is against the law.