Rise in graffiti on Central line prompts calls for urgent action

London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, Bassam Mahfouz has called for a “zero-tolerance strategy to stamp out graffiti for good” to protect the quality and safety of London’s public transport following a rise in graffiti attacks on the Central line.

Following correspondence from Mr Mahfouz, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed a noticeable rise in incidents. While the cause remains unclear, TfL has deployed additional cleaning teams to tackle the problem and is encouraging passengers to report graffiti sightings to help speed up removals.

Specialist teams, working alongside contractors, are tasked with restoring trains to acceptable standards. Mr Mahfouz has also written to TfL asking whether the Central line is being deliberately targeted and seeking details about clean-up contracts and service-level agreements currently in place.

Mr Mahfouz said: “The recent surge in graffiti on Central line trains is concerning and costly. Londoners have become used to, and deserve, a clean, safe, and reliable transport network, yet these vandalised carriages are an affront to the eye and leave passengers feeling less safe.”

He added: “The Central line is clearly being targeted. It’s costing Londoners in clean-up cost and pride in our city.

“I welcome TfL’s recognition of the problem and their commitment of additional resources to tackle this blight. But the only way to really address such a scourge is to adopt a zero-tolerance strategy to stamp out graffiti for good. Only then can we restore the Central line to the standard passengers expect and ensure London’s transport system remains a source of pride, not frustration.”