‘Rapid-fire’ clean-up teams to target surge in Melbourne CBD graffiti

A 24-hour a day graffiti clean-up team, which promises to respond to reports of offensive tagging within an hour, is hitting the streets of Melbourne this week.

A rapid response graffiti clean-up team is hitting the streets of Melbourne’s CBD this week.

A rapid response graffiti clean-up team, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is hitting the streets of Melbourne’s CBD this week.

The service, revealed by the Herald Sun in December, promises to respond to reports of offensive tagging within an hour.

Ugly graffiti has been identified by residents, shoppers and visitors to the city as a scourge on the city’s heart.

Graffiti on Flinders Street Station in January this year. Picture: Jason Edwards

Homophobic graffiti under Sandridge Bridge last December. Picture: Supplied

Graffiti on Sandridge Bridge. Picture: Anthony Templeton

Graffiti black spots will be monitored every day under the service, while pressure washing will be improved in the busiest laneways, also daily.

Before this week, graffiti management only operated weekdays from 7am-3pm.

The City of Melbourne said it had trebled spending on cleaning the city over the past four years.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the best deterrent to halt repeat offenders was to remove graffiti quickly.

Graffiti around the West Gate Fwy in November last year. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Metro Trains’ graffiti removal specialists go to work during the night to clean up Melbourne’s network.

“We’re supercharging our cleaning efforts like never before – with boots on the ground twenty four hours a day, seven days a week,” Cr Capp said.

“A clean city is one our residents, traders and city workers can be proud of.’’

Fellow councillor Davydd Griffiths said a clean city was important is to create a safe and

welcoming environment.

“While our Clean Teams will be working non-stop, we want Melburnians to take pride in their city and do their part – cleaning up after themselves and reporting issues so we can take care of them quickly.’’

The council is also trebling its electric vehicle fleet to six cars so crews can get to reported areas immediately.