POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a number of graffiti attacks across Chard last week.

The anarchy symbol "tags" were sprayed on nine locations across the town, between 3am and 5am on 23 June.

Avon and Somerset police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incidents.

PCSO Julie Middleditch said: “Several supermarkets, Holyrood Academy, Lloyds Bank, the leisure centre and several council buildings were spray painted. This obviously has a financial implication in relation to cleaning it up.

“Graffiti or street art can be a really vibrant addition to towns and cities when created by proper artists and located appropriately and legally.

"There is a huge difference between attractive urban art and mindless criminal damage. Tagging isn’t attractive and can depreciate the value of people’s property. This is criminal damage.

“We believe the male featured in the photo can help us with our enquiries and we are keen to speak to him.

"He is described as in his mid-teens to early twenties. He was wearing a light hooded top, medium to dark trousers and dark trainers with white stripes. He was also wearing a dark scarf or face covering."

Other buildings marked with the tags include the Guildhall, Tesco, Jocelyn Park, Lidl and the Lacemill.

As well as more than 10 anarchy symbols, at least two occurrences of expletives being sprayed on walls have also been reported.

Dave Bulmer, the mayor of Chard, said that the graffiti had shocked the people of the town.

Cllr Bulmer said: “I feel quite offended by it. It is such a shame that this sort of thing is happening and it has cost 14,000 people.

“The majority are law abiding people, and these are the actions of one person.”

One of the symbols was marked on the pillar of the Guildhall, which is a listed building.

This causes complications for the council, who cannot use normal graffiti removing chemicals.

Cllr Bulmer added: “We have to be careful.

“It is going to be extremely difficult because of we cannot damage the pillars as they are the main facade of the building.

“We are going to need expert advice.”

A total cost of the damage has not yet been revealed, but it is expected to cost thousands.

If anyone has any information about these incidents, recognises the person in the photos or the “tag”, then contact 101 quoting reference number 5216136922.