A PICNIC bench has been burnt and a large amount of graffiti has been left on furniture at a park in Wokingham.

The incident in Howard Palmer Gardens is believed to have happened overnight on Saturday, May 25.

It has left a visible hole in the park bench and homophobic graffiti across furniture in the park.

Councillor Imogen Shepherd DuBey, leader of Wokingham Town Council, said: “On hearing about the weekend vandalism, I went to see the resulting damage on Bank Holiday Monday. The most severe damage is to the bench, where someone has deliberately set fire to it, burning a large hole in it

“As well as the burnt bench there has been the addition of a considerable amount of Graffiti across the furniture. Much of the graffiti is homophobic and clearly intended to intimidate teenagers and young men in the area.

“We need to be clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated and is not welcome in Wokingham. Every law-abiding citizen should be allowed to feel safe in our Town and we expect those that commit these antisocial acts of vandalism and intimidation to be caught and punished."

Town Council officers are working with police to identify those who are responsible.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made but urge anyone with information to contact them on 101.