Culprits of graffiti tags across Broadstairs have been condemned by the town council after a listed building was defaced.

Vandals defaced Pierremont Hall and the old Age Concern building in Pierremont Park with graffiti tags.

A post on the Broadstairs & St Peter’s town council Facebook page said: “Pierremont Hall is a listed building and former holiday home of Queen Victoria.

“If you have any information about this lack of respect for our heritage, please contact the town council on 01843 868718 or Thanet District Council community safety team on 01843 577903 or call Kent Police on 101.”

Vandals struck overnight last Wednesday, and again the following night, with more graffiti added to the buildings.

Town clerk Danielle Dunn said: “It is just so sad that a small minority of people can deface the town in such a way, graffiti is vandalism in the purist form.

“There has also been similar tags on the Botany Bay toilets, the wall at the Culmer’s amenity land, postboxes, electric boxes and some of our planters on the Viking Bay promenade.

“Having graffiti tags all over Broadstairs gives off a bad impression to our residents and visitors and it comes at a high cost to our public fund to remove it.”

A spokesman for Thanet District Council said: "The graffiti has been reported to the council and it has been put forward for clearance.

"Public concern over graffiti and mindless vandalism across the Isle has increased in recent years.

"During the last six years, over £134,000 has been spent cleaning graffiti off public property.

"This does not even begin to touch the cost of damage to private property where the owner is responsible.

"Every piece of graffiti costs the council over £200 a square metre to clean up by either removing or painting over – an average of £22,000 a year which could be better spent on other public services for Thanet residents.

"If you see any vandalism, please contact 01843 577903 or email community.safety@thanet.gov.uk.

"To report vandalism and ASB call the police on 101 and also email community.safety@thanet.gov.uk for follow up, or call 01843 577 777.

"To report ASB online, go to https://forms.thanet.gov.uk/Anti-Social-Behaviour.

"Remember, if you see any crime or an emergency in progress, call the police on 999."