A MAN has been arrested after several buildings and bus stops across the town were vandalised in the past week using a marker pen.

The 35 tags, which are primarily anti-government sentiments around Covid, were found in Regent Street, Theatre Square and Old Town.

A 42-year-old man from Swindon has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been released under investigation as police continue enquiries.

PC Paul Bezzant from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The damage caused by this graffiti – which is blatant criminal damage – causes no end of issues.

“It costs our local council time and public money to clean it off the buildings in our town centre."

Council leader David Renard said: “This tagging spree is reprehensible.

“Our StreetSmart team has removed the vast majority of the tags but we can ill afford to spend taxpayers’ money on clearing up such unsightly scrawl, some of which was daubed on the lovely mural outside the bus station.

"We are currently liaising with the artists to see if they can remove the tags without damaging the artwork."