Illegal advertising is the posting of stickers, posters and other advertising without the consent of the owner of the property. Council-owned street furniture such as lampposts, railings and road signs in particular are affected. Illegal advertising can make an area look dirty and neglected, which can encourage anti-social behaviour and crime.
It is a criminal offence to display an advertisement in contravention of the Highways Act 1980 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The council can remove illegal advertising without notice from highways, which includes street furniture and verges.
The council and the Community Safety Partnership have adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards fly-posting. As a result, we will consider issuing proceedings against any organisation or an individual within an organisation found to be causing this form of nuisance.
Anti-social behaviour orders
The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 gives the council the power to issue a fixed penalty notice to any person caught in the act of posting an illegal advertisement. The fixed penalty is currently £75.
The following criminal offences relating to fly-posting can lead to the issuing of a fixed penalty notice:
- criminal damage to property, involving painting, writing, soiling, defacing, or marking property by whatever means
- obliterating traffic signs and painting or affixing things on or beside the highway
- displaying an advertisement in contravention of regulations
How to advertise legally
Many shops have advertising space. You can also use local newspapers to advertise an event. You can also contact the council’s Distribution Service on 01223 457517 or view their web page for further information.
In general the council is against handing out leaflets for events, as this often leads to littering in an area. If you wish to hand out leaflets, leave enough time to pick up any littered leaflets within a 100 metre radius (littering can result in a fixed penalty of £75).
Estate agent boards
Most estate agent boards are fine if they advertise from within the boundaries of the property they are selling. However the board cannot be attached to street furniture or sited on a verge, as this may obstruct the view of drivers or be a danger.
The enforcement team will deal with boards that are attached to street furniture or on the highways promptly.
A-boards
Shop owners in Cambridge can only have an A-board if it is situated on private land and not on the highway, or pavement. A-boards can cause an obstruction to passers-by, especially those with a visual impairment. They can therefore be dangerous, particularly where a pavement is narrow.
A-boards that are attached to street furniture will be removed by the council without notice, whilst other A-boards are dealt with by Cambridgeshire County Council. Further information is available from the County Council website.
Contact
Use our online form to report illegal advertising or telephone 01223 458282.
