FOI request detail

Graffiti on bus stop shelters

Request ID: FOI-2203-2021
Date published: 25 February 2021

You asked

Could TfL please tell me for the years of 2013-2018: a) How many incidents of graffiti on bus stop shelters were reported for cleaning? Please can you provide a breakdown per month of a) in the form of an excel spreadsheet (in the same format as you did with 2019 and 2020 which was very helpful) One last question, where TfL reports 'offensive graffiti', what does this encompass (i.e. is it racist/xenophobic/homophobic etc or just rude and obscene language)?

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-2203-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 January 2021, asking for information about graffiti on bus stop shelters.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:

  1. How many incidents of graffiti on bus stop shelters were reported for cleaning for the years of 2013-2018?

Our system only contains data back to March 2016. We do not hold data prior to this. Please see the yearly breakdown below;

  • 2018 – 38,312
  • 2017 – 23,321
  • 2016 – 5,981 (note this is not a full year of data)

Please can you provide a breakdown per month of a) in the form of an excel spreadsheet (in the same format as you did with 2019 and 2020 which was very helpful).

Please find the attached spreadsheet which contains the requested information on graffiti cleaning, in the same format as previously supplied. Please note the figures for graffiti cleaning include bus shelters, bus stops and traffic signals owned by TfL. We do not record them separately.

The letter entries under ‘Description’ and ‘Work Description’ mean F – flyers/flyposting, C – check and G – graffiti.

One last question, where TfL reports 'offensive graffiti', what does this encompass (i.e. is it racist/xenophobic/homophobic etc or just rude and obscene language)?

We are responsible for ensuring all street equipment is clean and free from graffiti, stickers, flyposting, labels, any unauthorised publicity material, chewing gum and glue or other substances. Offensive graffiti would include anything that is considered to be hateful, derogatory or obscene.

If you are considering submitting a further request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI/EIR requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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