Illegal road banners placed across the Island must be taken down “immediately”, the Bermuda Police Service has warned.

In a statement issued today, the BPS advised that the “posting of banners along Bermuda’s road sides is an illegal practice that should stop immediately”.

“Promoters must take down the banners immediately,” a spokesman added. “It should be noted that anyone who contravenes the Advertisements Regulation Act 1911 is subject to a fine of $720 and in the case of a continuing offence a further fine of $144 for every day during which the offence continues.”

According to Police, illegal banners have been found at Parsons Road Playground, Shelley Bay Sports Field, Scaur Hill, Paget Stop Lights, and the Tee Street junction with Middle Road.

The Ministry of Public Works also issued a reminder to the public regarding signage, pointing to specifications of the Advertisements Regulation Act 1911.

A ministry spokeswoman said: “The Act controls the placement, content and certain design elements of signs.”

She said it dictates, for example, that a “For Sale” sign can be erected on land that is for sale, a sign on a building can display the business name and indicate the general character of the business, and a sign can advertise a municipal election.

But she said the Act prohibits certain types of advertising, such as signs that protrude above the roofline of a building or which are ‘inner illuminated’.

It also restricts advertising to the land or building to which the sale or meeting or entertainment relates.

“The public should be aware that any advertising signs erected on land owned by the Bermuda Government and controlled by either the Department of Parks or the Department of Works and Engineering is not permitted and will be removed,” the spokeswoman said.

“Advertising signs displayed on these strips of land will be removed by either a Parks or Works and Engineering crew, this includes East Broadway and Palmetto Road, whether advertising a charitable event or not.”

She added that “the control of advertising signs incorrectly erected on private land will be addressed by the Department of Planning” and encouraged business owners or private land owners who are considering putting up signage and advertising, to visit the Department of Planning’s website.

“Both the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St George can license land for the exhibition of advertisements,” she added. “Individuals are advised to approach those bodies directly should they wish to do so.”

• To report a sign erected on park property, contact the Department of Parks at 236-5902. On weekends, call 599-5902.

• To retrieve a sign removed from park property, contact the Department of Parks receptionist at 236-5902.

• To report a sign erected on government land, contact the chief engineer at 297-7863.

• To retrieve a sign removed from government land contact the Marsh Folly depot at 292-7454.

• To report a sign erected on private property, contact the enforcement officer at 297-7634.