Graffiti artists are shifting their attention from the usual targets like bus stops to people's homes and cars.

Highworth has been hit by a spate of paint spraying since last Friday and police are keen to catch the people behind it.

While bus stops and commercial properties have been affected, police say it is of more concern that people's personal property has been vandalised.

Highworth beat manager PC Martin Miles said: "We have been hit with shed-loads of graffiti and it's two new tags.

"It's covered the town from public bus shelters to private properties, motor vehicles and garage walls. It's been ongoing since Friday."

Bus stops in St Michael's Avenue, a shop in Newburgh Place, homes in Brookfield, and a vehicle in Crane Furlong, as well as others in Edencroft and Priory Green, have all fallen victim to the yobs. Three youths were seen spraying the road in Priory Vale before setting fire to it and running away.

Just before Christmas the Adver reported that street wardens in Highworth were struggling to keep up with cleaning off two tags, tank' and bom'. These latest tags are anon' and ace'.

PC Miles said: "We've had a lot of complaints but there's a lot that I think hasn't been reported to us.

"The street wardens can help homeowners get it off but they can only do that if people report it in the first place."

PC Miles said people are getting sick of the sight of the scrawling mess.

"It's a problem because we are a small market town and as you enter it the buildings are becoming covered in graffiti.

"As soon as the street wardens get rid of it their work's being undone by mindless youths."

He warned anyone caught doing it would feel the full force of the law.

"It's unsightly but it's also a crime," PC Miles said.

"This is the second spate we have had out here.

"It's bad enough when it's bus stops and commercial premises let alone people's property and cars."

Police do not know if the latest graffiti is down to the same people as the last round but they are keen to hear from anyone with information.

"I would ask shopkeepers to be aware if they sell spray paint, particularly if they are selling them in red, white or black. It would be a benefit if they could be responsible," PC Miles said. "It's going to be local youths and somebody is going to know who is doing it."

Anyone with information should call PC Miles at Highworth police station on 0845 408 7000.