Teenagers and the Law: Graffiti

Contents – Find the law
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A two page PDF outlining graffiti and vandalism laws along with search powers.

Is graffiti illegal?
Is it illegal to buy spray paint?
Is it illegal to carry spray paint and other graffiti tools?
Can the police search me for graffiti tools?
Can the police confiscate my graffiti tools?
What are the penalties for graffiti crimes?

Graffiti laws
It is an offence to mark graffiti on property that can be seen by the public unless the owner has given you permission.
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.
There are very serious penalties for making or intending to make graffiti, including large fines and imprisonment.
It is a more serious offence if the graffiti would offend a reasonable person. Political comments are an exception to this, if they are reasonable.