Tombstones and memorial benches have been vandalised by someone claiming coronavirus is "fake".

Graffiti suggesting the public 'cannot catch coronavirus' has been scrawled across 14 benches, tombstones, and a bus shelter in Redbourn, leaving the chairman of a parish council "puzzled".

One of the graffiti slogans read: Real crisis! Fake Pandemic! They’re destroying our lives!”

Another said: “We cannot ‘catch’ a virus – do some research!! Wake up!!”

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

The benches, which belong to Redbourn Parish Council, were defaced with permanent marker over several days. They were sited at different locations in the village including the Common.

Several of them were dedicated to the memory of well-known local residents having been funded by their loved ones. They are clearly marked with nameplates.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

'We cannot catch a virus...do some research'

St Albans City and District Council has offered to erase the writing with the help of its waste contractor Veolia. The benches will be repainted or varnished.

Police are now hunting for the person responsible for the graffiti because it could result in a charge of criminal damage.

Councillor David Mitchell, Chair of the Parish Council, said: "The graffiti has not only been scrawled on paths and walls around the village, it has also been written on memorial benches on the common, and even on tombstones at St Mary’s Church.

"This has been very upsetting for local residents and we are all very puzzled as to why someone would do this even if they think Covid-19 is “’fake news’."

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

District council leader, Councillor Chris White, added: "We offered to help Redbourn Parish Council as soon as we heard about the defacement of these benches and I’m pleased that has been accepted.

"This is a terrible act and I hope that the culprit can be tracked down and arrested. They have not only vandalised public property but also tried to give voice to a conspiracy theory that many people will find very offensive."

Coronavirus has been linked to more than 21,000 deaths in UK hospitals, as well as thousands of deaths in care homes and more than 200,000 deaths around the world.