In August 2026, a total of 115 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 48 removals concerned public facilities, while 67 removals were carried out on private buildings. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 147.5 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The top five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals were Vorstädte (15), Altstadt Grossbasel (14), Am Ring (13), Matthäus (12), and St. Johann (10). The bottom five communities, where the least removals were required, were Riehen (1), Bruderholz (1), Gundeldingen (1), Hirzbrunnen (1), and Iselin (3).

The monthly time series shows a clear structural break in late 2023. Before October 2023, monthly removals typically ranged between roughly 30 and 90, with occasional peaks near 90. Starting in November 2023, the series jumped sharply to 200 removals and has since remained mostly above 100, frequently reaching 140 to 180. This increase is largely explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings only started in October 2023. Before that date, the data primarily reflected removals on public facilities, so the apparent rise after October 2023 does not necessarily indicate a sudden surge in vandalism but rather a broader coverage of removal activities.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt maintains cleanliness in public spaces through a rapid response policy. Illegal graffiti on public infrastructure is typically removed within 48 hours of being reported, which helps prevent further vandalism and copycat defacement. Residents can report graffiti through the cleanliness hotline or by completing the online form. The canton also financially supports private property owners in removing graffiti, covering a substantial portion of cleaning costs. In addition, Basel actively promotes legal street art by providing advisory services, supporting property owners who wish to commission murals, designating walls for legal painting, and encouraging high-quality street art as a way to beautify the city and reduce vandalism.