Albury Council has engaged a 40-year-old family-owned business, Graffiti Eaters, in a bid to reclaim the high-ground in a losing battle against unsightly graffiti across the city.

The company, which has 26 different cleaning solutions at its disposal, was on the job in the South Albury hot spot on Tuesday.

Managing director Mark Mackenzie said all cities struggled to combat graffiti.

“Some do it better in keeping on top of it,” he said.

“Graffiti vandalism is the first form of criminal behaviour.

“It’s generally a restlessness amongst the youth in the community.”

Graffiti Eaters operate nationally, but Mr Mackenzie said the best results had been attained in communities where all parties were on board.

“It is important there is a co-ordinator, someone who is prepared to step-up and get as many people on board as they can,” he said.

“Getting it off quickly is the secret to reducing graffiti long-term.

“Kids coming home from school with a texta pen in their hand won’t target a wall that is kept clean.

“We will be here as long as they need us to clean it up.”

The council has instigated a four-pronged attack on graffiti involving maintenance and surveillance, community engagement and public art opportunities, such as the vinyl wrap on the Volt Lane utilities box.

Home and business owners are also being encouraged to join the clean-up, with free graffiti removal kits available.

“This time we are taking it very seriously,” Albury mayor Kevin Mack said.

“It is costing tens of thousands of dollars a year to ratepayers to remove the graffiti.

“When you clean it off you don’t want to see where it has been.

“The community needs to say enough is enough and we want our city to be clean.”