Technical Notes 2026, Issue 19 - Resources Deployed to address Anti-Social Behaviour, Graffiti, and Vandalism Issues across East Dunbartonshire

• The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide an update to elected members on the resources deployed to address anti-social behaviour (ASB), graffiti, and vandalism issues across East Dunbartonshire
• It should be noted that reports of ASB including graffiti and vandalism across certain areas in East Dunbartonshire has increased applying additional pressure on exiting resources and revenue budgets
• Specifically, Bishopbriggs, Auchinairn, Kirkintilloch, and Lenzie have recently experienced an upturn in graffiti on various buildings and assets including those owned by the Council (road signs etc), SPT (bus stops), various utility providers, and some private property
• Much of the graffiti is football related, with some sectarian and racist elements to the graffiti in certain locations. There have also been reports of damage to public and private property
• The Council is working with local Police to identify and log the graffiti reported to identify and act against those responsible
• The Council, via Community Safety, Roads and Streetscene, is responding to reports with a view to collecting information, removing or covering the graffiti as quickly as possible, but some of the work is being undertaken externally so there may be a delay in removal. The recurring nature of the graffiti is making it difficult to respond, but the team will endeavour to respond timeously
• It is worth noting that the Council teams and our contractors will only remove graffiti from Council owned/maintained assets.  If the graffiti is on a bus stop or utility box, this is reported to the relevant owner to act.  Similarly, if the graffiti is on a privately owned property, then it is up to the owner or factor for the building to arrange removal
• Regrettably, some of the associated costs with the internal responses have not been captured consistently. However, the under noted table shows the information captured by the Streetscene Operations Team. 

• The under noted table provides an example of the location targeted and the associated costs to have the graffiti removed by external contractors. Some of the location listed have been targeted on multiple occasions.

• The Service has also recorded and replaced several road signs due to graffiti and vandalism using adhesive stickers which if removed render the sign unserviceable. The replacement cost for signs is approximately £1,000 with installation completed by internal resources. The under noted is an example of the locations where graffiti was recorded:
  • 1 no of Low Bridge Ahead sign on the A803 Kirkintilloch Road at its junction with Crownhill Road, Bishopbriggs
  • 1 no of No Entry sign except for loading on the A803 Kirkintilloch Road at its junction with Springfield Road, Bishopbriggs
  • 2 No of street signs for Angus Avenue, Bishopbriggs, on existing small poles at its junction with Wester Cleddens Road, Bishopbriggs
  • 1 no of Junction Ahead sign northbound on the A803 Kirkintilloch Road before its junction with Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs
  • Initiative Road and the removal of graffiti from the countdown signs an order was placed on RMMS for this to be carried out
• It is also noted that multiple bus stops and utility boxes have also been targeted with reports submitted to the relevant owner for action
• If residents see any graffiti, they should report it via the Report It page.

• Calls pertaining to Anti-social Behaviour are routinely referred to Police Scotland so the under noted provides information on the recorded crime for the previous five years (Crimes & Offences per 10,000 population)

D&RB - Vandalism

• 2020/21 - 39    
• 2021/22 - 30    
• 2022/23 - 32    
• 2023/24 - 31    
• 2025/26 - 27.

ASB - Threatening and abusive behaviour

• 2020/21 - 562
• 2021/22 - 468     
• 2022/23 - 364  
• 2023/24 - 306   
• 2025/26 - 381.

ASB - Hate aggravated conduct

• 2020/21 - 13
• 2021/22 -  10
• 2022/23 - 6
• 2023/24 - 8
• 2025/26 - 9.

ASB - Drunkenness and other disorderly conduct

• 2020/21 - 65
• 2021/22 - 20
• 2022/23 - 17
• 2023/24 - 10
• 2025/26 - 7.

ASB - Urinating etc. 

• 2020/21 - 4
• 2021/22 - 4
• 2022/23 - 4
• 2023/24 - 1
• 2025/26 - 1.

Total

• 2020/21 - 644
• 2021/22 - 502
• 2022/23 - 391
• 2023/24 - 325
• 2025/26 - 398.

Source: Police Scotland Recorded Crime 2024/25 - Supporting documents - Recorded Crime in Scotland

• Residents may also wish to contact Police Scotland via the 101 non-emergency number to report ASB and to log the graffiti particularly if it is offensive.