Residents claim criminal damage is spoiling the look of the town centre.

A new wave of graffiti is blighting Honiton town centre.

Even smart, new signs in Lace Walk have fallen victim to the criminal damage.

Graffiti ‘tags’, which can identify the culprits, have also appeared on buildings in Northcote Lane and in the vicinity of New Street.

In the past, police in Honiton have built up a knowledge of tags, so they can identify offenders.

Shoppers, who pointed out a tag on a sign in Lace Walk car park last Wednesday afternoon, complained offenders are blighting the town with unsightly “rubbish”.

A pensioner, who asked not to be named, said: “This rubbish is spoiling the town.”