That’s the message from the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour team, and echoed by the Grounds and Maintenance team that is responsible for its removal.

Councillor Davie McLachlan, the Chair of the council’s Housing and Technical Resources Committee, said: “Graffiti not only detracts from the overall appearance of an area, presenting the perception of a neglected neighbourhood, but it can also cause upset and offence to many. What’s more, it can also lead to further acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

“It can spoil our enjoyment of the areas we live in and visit, so it is important that anyone spotting it should report it to the council as soon as possible.

“It can be extremely time-consuming and costly for the council to remove it, with thousands of pounds each year being spent on this. However, it is still important to address it as soon as possible because the longer any graffiti remains in place, the more likely it is to encourage more graffiti.”

The Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “We will remove graffiti from all council-owned property, such as buildings, street furniture and play equipment, and can also remove it from private property for a fee although, in that case, a disclaimer does need to be signed prior to any work taking place.

“It is also worth bearing in mind that it is illegal – graffiti is an act of vandalism and, as such, offenders need to remember that they could find themselves charged with a criminal offence under section 52, Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.”

The council aims to remove offensive graffiti, including any that is racist, sectarian or obscene in nature within 24 hours of being notified of it, and anyone wishing to report offensive graffiti can do so by calling the hotline on 0303 123 1020.

All other non-offensive graffiti on council-owned property is aimed to be removed within five working days and it can be reported online through the council website.

Front line council employees working in our communities, including community wardens, housing officers and grounds staff, act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the council and will identify and report any graffiti they see while carrying out their duties. Action will then be taken to remove the graffiti as appropriate.