Properties displaying Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green Party posters in Sussex have been vandalised, in attacks thought to be linked to Brexit.

The houses targeted in Lewes had the words “traitors” and “hypocrites” spray painted on their exterior walls.

“The vandalism includes damage to property and the public footpath,” a spokesperson for Lewes Labour Party said in a statement.

“The recent vandalism appears to follow a national trend of anti-social behaviour against political posters and individuals who are involved in local democratic political activity.”

Campaigning is in full swing across the UK, where local elections will be held on 2 May.

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(AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. 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European elections are scheduled for 23 May and will be held unless parliament solves the current Brexit crisis.

“Acts of vandalism are never justified and these recent graffiti are completely different to the normal politics of Lewes,” said Simon Burall, convenor for the Lewes Liberal Democrats.

“Whatever your political affiliations, we should live in a society which respects other people’s views.”

The vandalism comes as fears grow over divisions in political and public life in the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

The divide was starkly illustrated by the murder of MP Jo Cox by a white supremacist during the campaign.

A rise in reported hate crimes and in threats against MPs has added to a difficult atmosphere in local and national politics.

“It’s surprising and very sad to see people expressing their political views in this thuggish and intimidating way,” said Zoe Nicholson, co-chair of the Lewes District Green Party.

“The vandalism is bad enough, but using highly charged language like ‘traitors’ against political opponents is not acceptable.

“We will continue to shun this kind of negative campaigning and focus on positive messages in our campaign, and we stand with other parties against any form of intimidation or extremism.”

This month, parliament’s joint committee on human rights heard that MPs and peers were experiencing “skyrocketing” levels of abuse and death threats over Brexit and other political issues.

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Recent months have seen a number of high profile incidents of abuse aimed at MPs, including the pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry who was confronted by “yellow vest” protesters outside parliament.

“It is really sad to see this kind of attack on democracy in our town and criminal damage done to the property of residents who are exercising their right to take part in the upcoming local elections,” Emily Clarke, a Labour candidate in the area, said.

“We are experiencing a time when the country is divided on huge issues such as Brexit and people on all sides hold strong and differing views.

“However, the use of this type of language aimed at local political opponents, who are genuinely working for the community in which they are standing and residents’ property is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“As with any attack on democracy, it is important that we stand together against those who seek to intimidate us.”