This article asks: does graffiti increase crime? Find out more about the problem of graffiti and how crime is linked to graffiti and litter. 

Is Crime Linked To Graffiti & Litter?

Recent studies have shown that the presence of graffiti and little can make people twice as likely to steal or commit other crimes. Researchers have evidence that shows how social disobedience can lead to a surprising amount of other citizens breaking the rules too. These findings reinforce the theory known as the "broken windows theory" that is used and makes up the philosophy behind crime prevention in many of the major cities around the globe.

The idea is that if the police spend their time cracking down on minor crimes, then this will lead to bigger crimes being prevented. Researchers conducted a series of experiments across different cities and different areas of these cities where there is little crime. The researchers then tested whether people would be more willing to break social rules once they have seen that there is evidence of others already doing so before them.

During the experiments, researchers found that twenty-five percent of people that were observed stole an envelope containing a five euro note from a mailbox when graffiti could be found on the nearby walls. The same applies to when there was litter in the surrounding area. This compared to a much smaller thirteen percent when the walls were completely clean of graffiti or the area was clean.'

The Problem Of Graffiti

Due to the rising prevalence of graffiti in several different areas, as well as all the high costs that can come with graffiti prevention and cleanup, the crime can sometimes be seen as a persistent and unmanageable problem. 

It is very rare for the person who created the graffiti to be apprehended, and many "graffiti artists" will rapidly change their methods and locations when it becomes clear that apprehension is a possibility.

As with almost all forms of vandalism, graffiti is very rarely reported to the authorities. This is because many believe that graffiti is not a real crime or not a problem that the police should be spending their time dealing with.

Because people do not report graffiti to the police, it is true that the scope of the crime is relatively unknown and hard to quantify. But over the years, graffiti has only grown more and more of a major concern. TV, films, websites, and more promote graffiti as a form of radical street art without thinking about the impact it has on communities and therefore normalising the crime.

Even though graffiti is not a very common issue, the amount of graffiti in a location can change substantially from location to location. 

Although a single incident of graffiti being painted on the side of a building may not seem too serious, graffiti is a crime with a very real cumulative effect. 

Meaning that the initial appearance of graffiti in an area will only ever lead to even more unwanted graffiti popping up. Local graffiti patterns will also begin to appear over time meaning that the graffiti will take on a distinct form.

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