The document discusses the legality of street art under UK law. The Criminal Damage Act of 1971 makes it illegal to damage property without permission and those caught graffitiing a building without the owner's consent can be arrested. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 fines those applying graffiti without permission around £75 and further criminal sanctions if the fine is unpaid. It also bans the sale of spray paint to people under 16. Reverse graffiti using pressure washing is generally legal as it does not damage property. However, authorities have tried to prosecute in some cases.

1. Illegality of Street Art

2. Criminal Damage Act of 1971
• Section 1 (1) A person who without lawful excuse* destroys or damages any
property belonging to another intending to destroy or damage any such property
or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged
shall be guilty of an offence.
• This law states that if someone was to graffiti
a building and they didn’t have the owner’s
permission, then they can be arressted and
charged.

3. Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
• Under this law, anyone caught applying graffiti
without permission will be fined around £75
and if this is not paid, further criminal
sanction will take place.
• The act makes it illegal for retailers to sell
spray paint to people under 16.

4. Reverse Graffiti Legality
• Cleaning a public surface is not illegal, so
some graffiti artists have been using this
method. It is temporary, and there have been
a few instances where authorities have tried
to prosecute people who have pressure
washed a wall or pavement but have not
prosecuted from the non-destructive nature
of the practice.

5. Loopholes
• “Graffiti includes defacing, writing, scratching or drawing on or property so
that the marks can’t be removed easily with a dry cloth. This includes
stencil art and engraving.”