“Designated crack and heroin zone” signs with a council logo have been popping up across the city.

The fake Brighton and Hove City Council branded notices are appearing on signposts and other street furniture in Brighton.

They use council logos and say: “Designated Crack and Heroin Zone. The sale and use of Light and Dark is permitted in this area.”

People in the city have noticed more and more appearing in recent days, with some believing they are from the council.

The Argus: This sign was seen in St Peter's ChurchThis sign was seen in St Peter's Church (Image: The Argus)

In one message to The Argus, a Brighton resident who did not wish to be named said: “Is Brighton council really trying to promote a safe space for drug use in my city?

“Back in my day there wasn’t any backers of this behaviour, now it seems to be the city’s very own authorities are.

“What has happened to the world?”

In a statement, a council spokesman said: “This is obviously not a council notice. We will be removing any we become aware of.”

This comes just days after the council introduced new measures to tackle “costly” and unsightly flyposting in the city.

Flyposting is the illegal practice of putting up advertisements, posters, banners or stickers on properties, lampposts, telephone boxes or other structures on the streets without consent.

From February 2, community protection warnings (CPWs) and community protection notices (CPNs) could be issued to offenders to help the council reduce flyposting and stickering.

The Argus: The signs have been seen on signposts and other street furnitureThe signs have been seen on signposts and other street furniture (Image: The Argus)

Lucy Bryant, an artist from Whitehawk, sent some photos of the posters she has seen.

She said: “I keep seeing these hilarious pastiche signs pasted up around the city.

“Could it be the new Banksy?”

A collective of artists based in Brighton called Pattern Up has claimed responsibility for the posters.

It is a not-for-profit project that frequently displays art in galleries in the city.

A spokesman for Pattern Up said: “We are raising awareness about the widespread criminal exploitation of local children.

 “The crack and heroin notices depict the lack of community effort in preventing the exploitation and destruction of young lives through the supply and use of Class A and B drugs in the city.”