Police were quick to act after they received reports that posters had been stuck up around Melksham town centre at the weekend.

They are understood to have made allegations accusing someone from the town of being involved in sex offences, and were described by police as ‘malicious’.

The posters were found in various places in the town centre: two were at the bus stop at Market Place, one on a lamppost outside Newman Butchers on Church Street and another outside Goughs Solicitors at the bus shelter on Bath Road.

All were later removed by police.

A spokesman from Wiltshire Police said: “Officers are investigating a report regarding a number of posters containing serious allegations against an individual which have been distributed in Melksham.

“These items have been removed from several locations and we ask that if anyone is aware of any further posters they let us know on 101.”