A town is winning the fight against graffiti artists.
Following reports of graffiti in the Stockton area, the borough council took swift action to remove it.
The target for removal is within seven days, but the council's average time is within 3.6 days.
Graffiti containing comments of a sexual, political or generally offensive nature is tackled within 24 hours.
The council has stressed it will not tolerate graffiti and will use all its powers of enforcement to keep the borough graffiti free.
Steve Nelson, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We will not tolerate graffiti in the borough.
"It is the mindless acts of the minority who spoil it for the majority by encroaching their artwork on everyone else, which spoils the look of certain areas.
"Perhaps if they thought about it and the impression it gives to any visitor to the area, they might think twice before they put their cans of spray paint or pens to work."
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