Vandals have targeted numerous newly-erected 20mph signs with spray paint in a spate of criminal damage across a seaside town which has been branded “mindless”.

The attack in Herne Bay follows an outcry over “garish” red road markings, designed to tell drivers they are in the new ‘go slow’ zone.

Now at least a dozen of the 20mph signs have been daubed with paint, which Herne Bay county councillor Dan Watkins, who was instrumental in bringing the lower speed limit to the town centre, says is “hugely frustrating and disappointing”.

“I know there are strong feelings either way about the measures, including the 20mph limit and one-way system we have introduced in the town, but this is mindless vandalism and achieves nothing,” he said.

“It’s just very disappointing when we have a working group set up to look at how our Active Travel Scheme is working and to hear people’s views which is how democracy should work.

“This kind of vandalism just costs money to fix, which could be better spent. And those responsible need to be aware that it’s criminal damage and they are likely to be prosecuted if caught.

“So I would urge anyone with CCTV or other evidence to report it to the police.”

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman said: “We are aware of vandalism to some of the signs installed as part of the Active Travel scheme 20mph zone in Herne Bay. We will liaise with our contractor to clean the signs that have been targeted.

“While we appreciate the scheme has generated a significant amount of interest across the local community, tampering with signs puts safety at risk and delays our ability to review the new layout and explore future options, which is something many residents have expressed their desire for us to do.”

Last week, there was uproar in the town when numerous slabs of bright red paint appeared across road entrances overnight, which the county council says are designed to alert drivers that they are entering or leaving the new 20mph zone.

They were branded “hideous” and “over the top” by residents but KCC insists red paint will fade over time.

The idea for a 20mph zone in the town was first announced in 2021, with the project given the green light following a public consultation in 2022.

It is being introduced to complement a separate - and controversial - scheme that has seen a ‘Spanish-style’ plaza installed on Herne Bay seafront alongside a new one-way system in the surrounding roads.

All of the projects have been funded through an Active Travel government grant in a bid to encourage walking and cycling, with the 20mph zone set to be completed by the end of this month.