A "worrying" rise in vandalism and antisocial behaviour, including racist graffiti, in Flackwell Heath has been slammed as "appalling" by a councillor.

In the past month, residents in the village have been left shocked at a string of incidents - including flowers and bollards being damaged, racist graffiti daubed on a piece of fitness equipment and swings stolen.

The "mindless" vandalism has been condemned by Chepping Wycombe Parish Council and Cllr Luca Webb, who say they were appalled to see any forms of racism in the "inclusive" village community.

In mid-July, beautiful flowers and bollards near a bus stop in Northern Woods that were being carefully tended-to by a resident was damaged.

Since July, there has also been a string of incidents in the Straight Bit recreation ground, where the racist graffiti was found on a piece of fitness equipment close to the bowls club.

The playground itself has also been vandalised multiple times in the last few weeks, with the inside area of the climbing wall damaged by fire and some of the new surfacing near the roundabout dug out.

On a visit to the playground, councillors were also shocked to see two swings had been stolen along with the ground surfacing underneath and the wooden frame badly damaged.

Cllr Webb said: "There is no place for such mindless vandalism in our village. Flackwell Heath is such a community-minded place, as shown during the first lockdown when over 100 volunteers, led by Cllr David Johncock, came together to support vulnerable people.

"The parish council are concerned at the level of anti-social behaviour. We are currently investigating the possibility of CCTV to be installed at the recreation ground and are talking to the police to call for increased patrols.

"The vast majority of residents, including young people, love and respect our beautiful village.

"We will not let a small minority damage our shared spaces which are there for all to enjoy."

In a show of community spirit, after the Northern Woods bus stop flowers were destroyed, kind-hearted neighbours came together to buy replacements and replant them.

You can report any incidences of criminal damage to Thames Valley Police via 101.