A community has spoken of its shock after teenage yobs went on the rampage with paint and caused "considerable damage" spraying properties in Weymouth town centre.

Swastikas, obscene images and other anti-social graffiti was sprayed on homes, businesses and public toilets in the middle of the day.

Police said they received reports of a group of 10 to 15 teenagers spraying paint on buildings and signs in the area of Market Street and East Street shortly after 3pm on Saturday. Further damage was reported in the area of Weymouth Pavilion, including the public toilets in the Pavilion car park.

Cllr Tia Roos, who represents Melcombe Regis on the borough council, condemned the vandalism.

She said: “I am really appalled at this behaviour and it is a shame that it has been done. I will chase up the council to ensure it is painted over and covered up.

“There is no tolerance for that sort of behaviour in our town, it is offensive. We don’t know who has done it but there is need for education here, something has failed.

“It is a big shame and I feel sorry for the residents who have to see it and will do my best to get it sorted out as soon as possible.”

Residents and traders said they were 'shocked and disappointed’ by the graffiti.

John Wallace, a resident of Market Street, said he was ‘stunned’ that someone would spray paint a swastika outside of someone’s home.

He said: “I have not seen anything like this. I am quite stunned by it.

“The person who lives there is a nice bloke."

Simone Phillips, manager of Fish 'n' Fritz on the corner of Market Street and Maiden Street, said: “It is really disappointing, unfortunately you get a lot of it down here. It is not a good look for us.

“It is very disappointing, we try to do our best to make the shop look nice.”

As well as damage to homes in Market Street and East Street, a number of homes were left covered with expletives along Belle Vue, and further damage was caused to the public toilets in the Pavilion car park.

Chris Cole, box office manager of Weymouth Pavilion, said: “It is horrible it gives the town a bad image. It doesn’t reflect Weymouth in a good light to our customers."

A resident of Belle Vue, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I heard a group of children run down the road and heard them shouting expletives. I didn’t see what they were doing.

“My husband went outside and said someone had graffitied the wall.

“There is an old lady who lives on her own and had expletives sprayed over her home.

“It is not very nice, people make a lot of effort to look after their homes, you don’t want to see graffiti outside."

Police called to the area on Saturday said three people – two 14-year-old boys and a 19-year-old man from the Weymouth area – were stopped at the scene and spoken to by officers. They are assisting with police enquiries. No arrests have been made.

PC Ben Dawes, of Weymouth police, said: “The offenders have caused considerable damage in the town centre. We appreciate this has caused a significant impact for a number of businesses and individuals in the area and I would like to reassure them we are making a number of enquiries to try and identify who is responsible.

“I am appealing to any witnesses to the damage or anyone with information to come forward and contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55180010309. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.