Graffiti is often viewed as a persistent, if not an intractable, problem. Few graffiti offenders are apprehended, and some even change their methods and locations in response to possible apprehension and cleanups. Many towns and cities in this country have their problems with graffiti and their own methods of dealing with it. This article looks at the problem with graffiti around the Scunthorpe area in the light of the recent attack on Pittwood House, Headquarters of North Lincolnshire Council, and it�s rapid removal. Visiting various parts of Scunthorpe in search of samples of graffiti seemed more tasking than at first thought, stopping off at areas which would be considered as prime targets for graffiti, i.e. parks, shopping parades, community centers and recreational grounds amongst other areas really showed how little �large scale� spray painted graffiti there is. That�s not to say the town in graffiti free, far from it, look in the right places and you will see it however it mainly seems to be in places which are off the beaten track, away from the publics gaze, having said that there are some areas around the town graffiti can be seen. Graffiti on the bridge over Brigg Road away from the publics gaze. There are also the tell tale signs of where graffiti has been removed from buildings, either by being jetted off or painted over. This shows that North Lincolnshire Council do indeed take a pro-active stance when it comes to removing graffiti, certainly from their own buildings, private property is however the responsibility of the particular owner. Riddings Methodist Chapel has recently become a victim of the spray can which would place the onus on the owners to have it removed. Riddings Methodist Chapel North Lincolnshire Council have a dedicated graffiti removal team who use specialised equipment to remove graffiti they also have officers who have the powers to investigate instances of graffiti and can issue fixed penalty notices or prosecute offenders. Trying to find council property around the town with spray painted graffiti is, by and large, a hard task, which would suggest once they are aware of a problem the graffiti removal team is quick to respond, however the pavilion at Valley View Park has been daubed with graffiti and awaits removal, how recently it was attacked is unknown. Valley View Park Pavillion Bus shelters too are often a target for vandalism and graffiti, North Lincolnshire Council are responsible for the maintenance of theses and there are instances of these being sprayed with paint. Bus shelter on Healey Road There are examples of electricity sub-stations being daubed with graffiti as well as communal garages, post boxes, BT & Virgin Media junction boxes and more but the biggest targets for large-scale spray painted graffiti belongs to Railtrack. The bridge over Brigg Road has seen its walls covered with graffiti; this is on the underpass and cannot be seen by passing traffic or pedestrians. The underpass at the viaduct behind Glanford Park has also been targeted with spray paint; again this is off the beaten track but the arch on Scotter Road is right in the public gaze and has been blighted with graffiti much which has been there for quite some time, as mentioned before this would be the owners responsibility to remove it. The viaduct underpass to the rear of Glanford Park To the rear of the shops on Enderby Road a fine example of �Urban Art�, which in real terms is a form of graffiti, designed to be more pleasing to the eye, these are usually commissioned by a local organisations to help improve an area. Urban Art behind Enderby Road shops The biggest problem for the council�s property is seen on the play equipment in parks or on street furniture where they have been attacked with marker pens. Youths seem to write their �Tags� on these or scrawl verses and dittos which from a distance can�t be seen but up close look unsightly. Graffiti can blight any area but seems more of a concern when it�s in a prominent location, the walls on Howdens Hill Rail Bridge being one that would spring to many people�s minds, it has suffered numerous attacks over the years, this would be noticed by thousands of people who use this route into the town centre, likewise on Scotter Road when passing the viaduct whereas along a ten foot or snicket it would only be seen by a few hundred. Scotter Road viaduct In summary yes Scunthorpe does have its graffiti problems but not on the scale as can be seen in other towns or cities, maybe it�s an indication of how efficient North Lincolnshire Council, businesses and townsfolk are at dealing with it. Incidences are not widespread and are focused in relatively few hotspots, where the problem is intense. However, in some instances, where graffiti does occur it is highly visible and has a great impact on the public in their perception of the area. Problems with graffiti it can be reported via North Lincolnshire Councils website Online Report Form .