Lib-Dem council chiefs have warned 'graffiti vigilantes' against cleaning up signs and streets amid fears they doing more harm than good.

The move is part of an on-going spat between the borough's Lib-Dems and Conservative councillors over how to deal with the blight.

Conservative councillor, Seamus Joyce, has become a local celebrity on social media with evidence of his efforts to clean up graffiti.

He has criticised the Council for not doing enough and often posts details on Twitter about his work to clean-up the streets, which involves taking along his pet dog Storm.

A second Tory campaigner in Kew recently posted details of his own attempts at tackling the menace by spray painting over graffiti on a street telecoms cabinet.

However, the Lib-Dems, who run Richmond Council, say that these efforts are not always successful and can cause damage.

They say anyone spotting graffiti should report it to the Council whose experts know how best to remove spray paint successfully.

This week, Council leader, Gareth Roberts, accused Conservatives of being more interested in self-promotion than combatting the problem.

Speaking at a Council meeting, he said: "There has been a spate of almost vigilantism regarding tackling graffiti. It also seems quite common that they take their own video camera with them in order to film themselves doing it.

"It is a sort of performative work they are doing, a sort of Anti-Banksy.

"I would suggest that really the important thing to do is to make sure the Council is informed of the graffiti so it can be removed properly and not, as sometimes is the case - even though the intention is there – leaves the signs looking worse.

"I would suggest that most residents should leave it to the Council. And if they are not finding they are not getting the response needed from the Council to approach their ward Councillors who will then take it up."

Cllr Joyce, who is the Conservative spokesman for Transport, Street Scene and Air Quality, insisted that it was a failure of the Council to take the issue seriously which has led people like him to take action.

"I can proudly stand here and say I have removed over 400 graffiti tags and I have promoted the before and after pictures," he said.

He admitted his efforts had not always been successful, adding: "With one or two of my graffiti removals I might have slightly damaged the signs."

But he said: "At least I am getting my finger out and getting the job done."

In a scathing response, Cllr Roberts said: "I am conscious of the fact that Cllr Joyce likes to go out to do his graffiti removal.

"Unfortunately, frankly, … you are not promoting removing graffiti you are promoting yourself and that is all it is.

"We can all see what you are doing, and that is fine, do it, it's great. But don't try and dress it up as something it's not. It's a bit of self-promotion isn't it?"

Subsequently, the Council issued a press release advising residents on how to tackle the problem.

The Council will remove graffiti as long as it is accessible and not higher than three metres within five working days, or within one working day of notification if it is racist or offensive. Graffiti is removed free of charge from private properties and small businesses.

Report graffiti here.