RACIST graffiti has been sprayed onto a fence near a Somerset park.

Police are appealing for information after a report of criminal damage to fencing near the Tesco superstore, at the Townsend Shopping Centre in Shepton Mallet, bordering Summerleaze Park.

The graffiti, containing a racist term, was sprayed onto the fence on Monday, June 22, at approximately 6.45pm.

Police Community Support Officer Amanda Ware said: “Criminal damage of this nature is clearly unacceptable, and in this case contained highly offensive wording likely to cause distress.

"We are targeting our patrols in the affected areas in response."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 101, quoting reference 5220136663.

PCSO Ware added that any further incidences of racist graffiti in the locality should also be reported to 101 quoting the above reference.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.