It seems no flower is safe in St. George's after vandals declared war on well-kept gardens.

Residents have been left furious at the trail of destruction which is said to be ruining the look of the Old Town as it prepares for the Peppercorn Ceremony.

And while thieves have been invading private gardens and helping themselves to flowers, other troublemakers have been knocking over plant pots in streets and hurling them at shop windows.

The garden thefts prompted this message from Mayor Mariea Caisey to the culprits: "Please leave the flowers for all to see. Please leave our flowers alone.

"They are there for you to look at and admire, not for you to help yourself. We want the town to look nice for our community and for visitors.

"It's important we have pride in our town and we want our town to look good at all times."

Ms Caisey said she met one man in the gas station who seemed to think it was okay to steal a flower from somebody's garden so he could give it to someone.

Late on Wednesday night, a plant pot was thrown through a window at Boyle's shoe shop, with the offender reportedly breaking into the premises.

A window was also broken at Cooper's clothes shop, while there was a failed attempt to shatter a window at Aubrey's jewellers. A number of plant pots along Water Street were also smashed.

Police are investigating and urge witnesses to call Southside Police Station on 293-2222.