A postbox in Dartford has been painted like a crème egg, following a spree of “criminal damage” where postboxes have been painted gold, in a cow pattern and even in the colours of Mr Blobby during the last few weeks.

Police said 26 postboxes were painted in gold between Wednesday, January 31 and Monday, February 5, 2024, with the majority of the incidents in the Temple Hill area.

On Monday (February 19) postboxes on the corner of Trevithick Drive and Wellcome Avenue and on Joyce Green Lane were seen painted pink with gold spots - like Mr Blobby.

Today, a postbox on St Vincents Road has been spotted painted in purple, gold and red with Creme Egg written on it.

Royal Mail told the News Shopper on February 7 that it was in the process of restoring the postboxes to their original red painting – with many painted back to their red again over the weekend according to residents, despite them then being painted over again in colour this week.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “Kent Police is aware and enquiries are ongoing.”

Kent Police arrested a man on February 13 in connection with the initial postbox painting incidents and said that he was been released on bail until May 4 whilst enquiries continue.

The arrest was made when police were on patrol in Oldfield Place, Dartford, noticed a man fitting the description of a suspect.

Dartford’s community appears to be split on whether they post boxes being painted in alternative ways, with some seemingly welcoming the makeovers whilst others think it is wrong to tarnish the traditional style.

Locals shared their thoughts on the “Crème egg” postbox via social media, with one commenting: “Omg it looks absolutely terrible, such a mess, at least the gold ones were decent” but another loved the theming saying, “I think they are getting better. They have even got the font spot on.”