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66 graffiti tags have been sprayed over night in a spree of destruction and police fear there may be more damage discovered this morning.

Police last night chased down four people after the graffiti spree in Exeter city centre.

Officers revealed that four people were in the cells this morning after a foot-chase involving patrols over night.

(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Police have now appealed for any property owners finding damage this morning to contact them.

A police spokesman said: "Overnight there was a series of graffiti crimes around Exeter city Centre.

(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

"Four offenders were arrested. If you have suffered a like offence overnight in the same area please contact us quoting log number 1070 20180730.

"So far 66 sites have been identified."

(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Sergeant Ben Balsdon revealed the arrests came after a foot chase and said: "Good work to all involved." He highlighted the work of Pcs Harper and Hawkins in the arrests.

(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Police have been inudated with calls to 101 about graffiti this morning and are asking people to fill in a form online.

Graffiti rules in the UK - what is the law?

Graffiti and fly-posters attached to your property are criminal damage and should be reported to the police, according to local authority the Royal Borough of Kensington .

Penalties for graffiti

If the value of criminal damage exceeds £5,000 the maximum penalty for those aged 18 or over is 10 years in prison and for those aged 12-17 years the maximum custodial penalty is a detention and training order of up to 24 months. Where the damage is less than £5,000 the maximum sentence is three months imprisonment or a fine of £2,500 for adult offenders.

An alternative sanction for minor graffiti offences is the issue of a penalty notice. Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 Police Community Support Officers and those persons accredited under the community safety scheme are allowed to issue penalty notices of £50.

Graffiti removal notices

Section 48 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 gives local authorities the power to serve graffiti removal notices on certain bodies responsible for the surface where graffiti has appeared. These bodies include the owners of street furniture (bus shelters, street signs, phone boxes etc). The notice gives a minimum of 28 days for the removal of the graffiti, if after that time it has not been removed the local authority can remove it and can recover its costs.