A TRADER from Kew has slammed Richmond upon Thames Council's soft approach' to graffiti after hearing that businesses will have to foot the bill for its removal from their premises.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 states that property owners must clear off any graffiti which appears and gives powers to local authorities to issue a removal notice.

This could cost up to £100 each time the mess is cleaned up.

The council are trying to work in partnership with local businesses and have proposed a new scheme whereby a fee of £120 per year is charged in return for unlimited visits to clean the graffiti off.

Daniel Slack, of Tripped Limited and Mananga Plants Limited in North Road, said: "Graffiti is criminal damage. It is a criminal offence. Yet the council wishes to punish the victims of the crime with the cost for removing it. I think the council have a screw loose. I seriously have to question their sanity over this.

"How about getting to the root of the problem and stop it happening in the first place? Get the idiots off the streets that perpetrates the crimes.

"If the law makes that difficult as it stands, then push to get it altered.

"Perhaps if the perpetrators were made to pay for their damage, they might think twice about doing it in the future. Common sense, however, is sadly lacking in society nowadays. Punish the victim is the way things work today.

"The footbridge at Kew Gardens tube station is a prime example of the council's soft approach. It has been closed for weeks for restoration work. Within 24 hours of it being opened, it has been daubed in graffiti. Its disgusting."

The council believe this new legislation is in line with their battle of reducing crime in the area as less graffiti makes people feel safer and deters extra criminal activity.

The authority is under no obligation to clean up any defacement from privately owned property but they are trying to work with the community to find a solution.

A spokesperson said: "For £120 per year we will be bringing in a new graffiti team.

"If we have an outbreak, we will pledge to clean it up within seven days. This is not about trying to get money out of people but to work in partnership with the community to make Richmond the cleanest and safest borough, this goes to the heart of what this council is about "We are dealing with the little things first. This is only a proposal and it needs to have sufficient support from the community.

"Regarding the council getting to the root of the problem it is mainly a job for the police but the council is spending an extra £380,000 for additional police community officers and working with the police for expanding CCTV."