A GRAFFITI artist appears to be using Buntingford as a blank canvas. Since school holidays began, the artist has targeted the Little Chef on the A10, garages in Monks Walk, and the skate ramps and pavilion at Norfolk Road Playing Fields. PCSO Francis Hig

A GRAFFITI artist appears to be using Buntingford as a blank canvas.

Since school holidays began, the artist has targeted the Little Chef on the A10, garages in Monks Walk, and the skate ramps and pavilion at Norfolk Road Playing Fields.

PCSO Francis Higgins said: "The artist is fundamentally working the town, but we don't know if they are male or female.

"However, he or she is using the tag Sanchez."

So far police have spoken to Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and schools, asking them to check work books for doodles which may lead to the culprit.

And a specialist officer based in Stevenage is also working with Buntingford police to get to the bottom of the problem.

Buntingford Town Council deputy clerk Eddie Plume said: "We have been in contact with East Herts District Council, and at the moment we are seeing what can be done to clean the graffiti off property."

This follows a spate of incidents which happened in Buntingford High Street last week.

In the early hours of Monday, vandals smashed windows at Mark Doel Butchers and later the same morning attacked The Dentist premises.

Since Thursday, cars in the centre of town have also been vandalised, including one in Chapel End.

Vandals have also been churning up Freman College's playing fields on motorbikes.

PCSO Higgins said: "We are currently investigating the matter.

"We have an idea who is doing the damage to the playing fields, and once we have found out for sure, we can issue them with official warnings.

"With regards to the other vandalism I think it is just because of the school holidays.

"I don't think it will be worth installing CCTV.

"It's just a short-term problem which we are doing our best to sort out.