East Devon District Council has reported the torching of a dog ban sign on a Sidmouth beach to the police as arson and will prosecute the culprit if they are caught by the police.

The burned out sign was discovered by the council on Wednesday morning on Jacobs Ladder Beach in Sidmouth.

The sign helped dog walkers understand which parts of the beach are dog friendly and which parts are not.

A spokesperson for East Devon District Council said: "It is deeply disappointing and frustrating that during the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic, someone thought that setting fire to our sign marking the end of the dog ban area at Jacob's Ladder beach was the right way to express their opinion.

"By doing so they committed an act of arson, which is not only a criminal offence, but also an unacceptable piece of anti-social behaviour, which runs contrary to the outstanding community effort that everyone is contributing to at a time when we are all trying to keep pressure off our key local services, including Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and Devon and Cornwall Police.

"We take all acts of vandalism extremely seriously and, yes, regrettably we have had to report this to the Police. If identified, the perpetrator will be prosecuted. We will replace the sign, but it should be noted that the cost for doing so (requiring both manpower and the actual sign) is ultimately at the expense of the public."

A recent renewal of Public Space Protection Orders relating to dog walkers has proved controversial to some.

The council has acknowledged the request of some residents to suspend parts of the orders to allow dog walking on local beaches.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has considered this request, but the legislation does not permit suspensions and officers have noted that the beaches have been very quiet during April, when dogs are not banned.

"The council also must consider the view of the many members of the public who like to come to the beaches without worrying about being bothered by dogs. Therefore, suspending this part of the order would have no effect, and would lead to confusion when the lockdown is relaxed or lifted."

According to EDDC the orders have been very successful with a 'high level of compliance' and a reduction in the number of enquiries about nuisance dogs, dogs on beaches and dog fouling.