The Urban Heritage Protection Section (SEPROPUR) has been established to safeguard the city’s heritage from degradation and aesthetic vandalism. A team of around thirty officers operates 24 hours a day, collaborating with district police stations, the municipal cleaning service, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, and the Environmental Prosecutor's Office to combat illegal graffiti.
In the past three years, SEPROPUR has achieved significant results, including 802 cases opened, 628 reports filed, and 875 complaints made. The section has also identified 1,466 individuals and referred 190 cases to the courts, with 17 sent to the Environmental Prosecutor's Office for damage to protected buildings or sites of cultural interest.
During a recent visit, Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida expressed interest in the unit's operations, learning about their strategies and notable interventions. The officers employ risk maps and damage assessments to respond effectively to incidents, working closely with district police stations to analyse damages and identify perpetrators.
Collaboration and community involvement
SEPROPUR maintains a close relationship with the Environmental Prosecutor's Office to streamline procedures and enhance the perception of safety in response to vandalism. In September 2022, the unit expanded its efforts by launching anti-graffiti patrols as part of a new urgent cleaning service, which includes specialised teams that respond to community reports of graffiti and regularly inspect areas prone to such vandalism.
The penalties for graffiti-related offences are governed by Article 20 of the Law 3/2007 on Urgent Measures for Modernising the Government and Administration of the Community of Madrid. In December 2019, the municipal government increased fines for these offences, with some penalties doubling or tripling. For instance, fines for graffiti on commercial shutters increased from €500 to €1,000, while penalties for damage to urban furniture rose from €300 to €600. For graffiti on emblematic buildings, fines range from €2,000 for minor offences to €3,000 for more serious violations.
Notable interventions and outcomes
Among SEPROPUR's significant interventions are investigations into graffiti artists accused of damaging historical sites, including the back of Plaza de la Villa and the monument to the victims of Mauthausen. Other notable cases include ten individuals investigated for damages at the Museum of America, a protected cultural site, and various incidents involving the vandalism of monuments and public spaces.
The increase in surveillance and penalties has led some habitual offenders to abandon their practices. For example, a resident of Chamberí faced fines totalling €8,000 after admitting to his actions, resulting in a final penalty of €2,500 and 40 hours of community service. Another individual from Arganzuela was fined €15,000, while a frequent graffiti artist near Plaza del Dos de Mayo accumulated fines exceeding €20,000. Those caught in the act of vandalising protected buildings face criminal charges, with potential prison sentences of up to four years depending on the extent of the damage caused.
