Fly-posting

What is Fly-posting?

'Flyposting' is the illegal display of advertisements for products or events on buildings and street furniture without the consent of the owner. Flyposting can be divided into three types

1. Adverts primarily for local events, put up in large numbers on a regular basis. These may advertise music events, pubs/clubs, car-boot sales etc. They may be attached to lampposts, railings, and other types of street furniture or affixed on buildings.

2. Posters advertising the products of large organisations and put up by professional poster companies. These are usually large higher quality, colour posters, such as national events. These are often pasted on vacant buildings or billboards.

3. Posters displayed by pressure groups or political bodies. These are generally ad hoc with no clear pattern to their location.

There are other types of unauthorised advertisements such as ‘A’ boards which do not fall into the normal definition of fly posting.

Why is it a problem?

• It is unsightly - flyposting is associated with anti social behaviour and neglected areas and can discourage visitors and investments to the area;
• It is illegal - flyposting is an illegal activity and enforcement action can be taken against those who affix such material;
• It is costly to remove - it costs councils thousands to remove;
• It is unsafe - some types of flyposting can be dangerous to pedestrians but can also cause damage to the surface of which it is attached.

Actions taken by Daventry District Council

Any illegal display of advertising will be investigated by the council. Where possible enforcement action will be taken against the person who affixed the poster/sign and the person responsible for the material.

We can remove any poster or placard displayed on council property in contravention of the Advertisements Regulations by using the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and any sign or picture attached to street furniture or on the public highway using the Highways Act 1980.

Help us by reporting it

Please contact us using the details below to report instances of flyposting to enable us to remove the advertising material. The quicker we receive the report the quicker we can remove it. If you witness someone affixing a poster please note the following and contact us with the details:

• The date, time and place of the incident;
• A description and size of the flyposters;
• A description of the person affixing them and the vehicle used.

Enforcement investigations can commence if sufficient evidence is available but we need your help in such cases by reporting such crimes.