WHAT on earth is happening in the picturesque village of Kempsey? Residents are suffering from a spate of vandalism more akin to an inner-city.

Just a few days ago 17 different sites in the village, from houses to road signs, fell victim to graffiti.

Judging by the signature or 'tag' sprayed on the various surfaces the vandalism is the work of one 'artist'.

This is not art, of course, as one glance at the photographs on our front page today make clear. It is wanton destruction.

And residents tell us the graffiti is just the tip of the iceberg - just one example of a rising tide of anti-social behaviour in Kempsey.

It is vital that anyone who knows who is responsible for this vandalism passes that information on to the police.

Villagers should not have to put up with the crass behaviour of a few louts.

Police say they will be stepping up patrols in the area and are appealing for information that might help catch whoever is responsible for these attacks.

The people of Kempsey should not have to go to bed at night worrying whether their property will be next to fall victim to this idiot with a can of spray paint.

There is much talk in larger towns and cities of the need to reclaim the streets. Who would have thought such a need would apply to the residents of Kempsey?