HORRIFIED shop workers arrived at work to find human faeces smeared all over the door.

Staff at Robert Lewis Chocolates and Tea Rooms in Salisbury High Street made the grisly discovery as they went to open for business at about 8.30am last Wednesday.

They reported it to Salisbury BID, who sent a ranger to the scene.

Together with Wiltshire Council, they cleared up the mess in half an hour.

Owner Robert Lewis said: “I was extremely grateful for the immediate and efficient help the BID gave me and I cannot praise them highly enough for the work they are doing on behalf of the city.”

He said he did not think it was a personal attack, but “just one of those things”.

“I thought, what on Earth can I do? Who do I call? I rang [Salisbury BID] up and they were straight on the scene.”

Steve Godwin from Salisbury BID said: “Someone had made a real mess. The main part of our service is reactive. That’s what the service is there for. If a business finds there’s a problem, the guys will drop what they are doing elsewhere and get it cleared up.”

Mr Godwin said there was “a bit of a spate” of similar incidents happening in the city, but it was difficult to know who was doing it and why.

In a separate incident, police are appealing for witnesses after what appeared to be dog mess was smeared across a vehicle in Salt Lane as well as the front door of a house.  PC Matt Bennett said “This was a distressing incident for those involved and we would like any witnesses to help us establish the circumstances and find out who is responsible.”