Residents were warned not to share pictures of offensive graffiti that was painted on a Paget home this morning.

Police said they received a report of wilful damage at about 7.40am after the graffiti was sprayed on a wall in Harbour Road, near Lower Ferry.

The vandalism was painted over later, but not before images of the defamatory message were circulated on social media, police said.

A spokesman added: “The Bermuda Police Service would like to advise members of the public not to further circulate the defamatory message — or any similar message.

“As a reminder, sending defamatory messages is an offence under the Electronic Communications Act 2011.”

He explained that section 68 of the legislation included the provision that someone commits an offence if they send “a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” by electronic device.

The spokesman added that anyone convicted of knowingly allowing their electronic communications equipment to be used for that purpose was “liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or a fine of $25,000, or both”.

Anyone with any information about the offensive graffiti was encouraged to call the main police telephone number 295-0011.