Vandals deface village 20mph speed limit signs

A Cumnor Parish Council spokesman said the graffiti was "endangering pedestrians, cyclists and drivers"

Vandals have painted over a village's 20mph speed limit signs and changed some of them to say 40mph.

Graffiti left in Cumnor, a village on the edge of Oxford, also said “think for yourself” and “Cumnor Shills”.

Oxfordshire County Council has introduced new 20mph speed limits in some areas where it said there was "local support”.

A Cumnor Parish Council spokesman said the vandalism was "endangering pedestrians, cyclists and drivers".

The county council has cited research suggesting individuals are more likely to survive if hit by a car driving at 20mph than 30mph

The limits in Oxfordshire have proved unpopular with some motorists who have said they "increase congestion" and are unnecessary.

But the county council has cited research suggesting people are seven times more likely to survive if hit by a car driving at 20mph than if hit at 30mph.

A council spokesman it would "repair the damage caused" but urged anyone with information about the incidents to contact the police.

“Cumnor Shills” was one of the messages left by the vandals

A Cumnor Parish Council spokesman the vandals behaviour was "irresponsible".

“We’d rather the individuals responsible thought more about how to keep people safe rather than their need for speed," they said.

“The new 20mph limits in the parish were widely welcomed by residents, as was the 30mph limit for Cumnor Hill, something the parish council and residents campaigned for over many years following a string of accidents, including one that resulted in serious injury to a child.”