On Monday 15th June, Nottingham magistrates sentenced a man to almost a year in prison, for a series of vandalising rampages through the city centre, culminating in the defacing of the statue of Brian Clough. And on that day, on BBC Radio Nottingham’s Morning Show with Sarah Julian, we were discussing the psychology of vandalism Why, oh, why do they do it? 

My theory, supported by what was later said in court in this particular case, is that STRESS – often arising from boredom – drives this addictive compulsion.  The urge to trash neat (and sometimes attractive) symbols of order, which may be internalised as ‘the smug satisfaction of society’, and replace this with mess and chaos, is often fuelled by alcohol/drugs; these provide a temporary sensation of invincibility. The ‘high’ of this is combined with a surge of adrenaline due to the risk of being caught and punished. Once the first damage is done, the compulsion to do more is overwhelming.  Being part of a group (with the connotation of belonging ) is a powerful driver; this contrasts with the sense of alienation/exclusion sometimes felt by those who want to destroy/damage property in this way. 

In my experience as a magistrate, individuals may not be able or willing to explain this; sometimes, they may simply not remember what happened….

To the ‘casual’ vandal – as opposed to the one who is specifically targeting a person or persons’ property as an act of revenge or to publicly shame –  there may not appear to be a victim of this crime. But most people will lose a at least a little of their sense of well-being when they encounter evidence of vandalism; depending what it is, of course, some will be outraged! Vandalism erodes our sense that the world is basically an Ok place, and we are Ok (and safe) in it. And perhaps, at a subliminal level, this is what the vandal wants the rest of us to feel… some of that sense of his/her own not-ok in the world?

With graffiti, the vandal leaves his/her ‘tag’ – a public statement of a right to exist and be acknowledged, demanding the  ‘respect’ he/she hungers for  – by disturbing our well-being, if necessary.

Psychologically, the cry is for recognition of this anxiety/anger, understanding, and a way back into inclusion.