A new Liberal Democrat campaign office in Hitchin has been vandalised.

The building, in Bridge Street, had recently been decorated in the traditional Lib Dem colour of yellow - but has now been defaced, with white paint thrown onto the windows.

Herts police are investigating the incident, which they believe occurred between 11pm on Monday, October 30 and 2.10pm on Tuesday, October 31.

Jon Clayden, chair of Hitchin and South Liberal Democrats, said: "Earlier this week, the Liberal Democrats' new campaign office on Bridge Street was vandalised overnight.

"It seems that a lone male decided quite deliberately to throw white paint over the frontage.

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"Whatever his motivation, this was an unsophisticated attack; the police have been passed video footage taken nearby, and we hope he will be made answerable for his illegal actions.

"Liberal Democrat councillors, members and volunteers work hard for Hitchin and the neighbouring communities, and seeing such a casual and pointless defacement of our office is greatly disappointing.

"As a party of tolerance and respect we accept that many people will have political differences of opinion, but this criminal damage is beyond the pale.

"We will not be deterred from fighting for a better Hitchin."

Police enquiries are ongoing, and any witnesses or anybody with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 41/87126/23.

Information can also be reported at herts.police.uk/report or via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.