In one case, reckless drivers tore around the lawn in front of Camperdown House, an act which will cost more than £1000 to put right.

Police are also hunting vandals who ripped a £200 marble statue from a graveside at Birkhill Cemetery on the northern outskirts of the city.

Leisure and arts convener Councillor Charles Farquhar said there had been other acts of vandalism reported at parks and cemeteries throughout the city.

He warned that the council will not hesitate to get police involved in every case to ensure those responsible “face the full force of the law”.

The councillor continued, “I am disgusted at the lack of respect some people show for our excellent public facilities in the city, and am sure Dundee communities will share that sense of outrage.

“Let me make it absolutely clear that we have no hesitation in reporting every incident to police so that action can be taken through the law.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has information about any vandalism to get in touch with the police.”

According to the most recent figures, there has been a dramatic reduction in incidents of vandalism against council-owned premises.

The cost to the tax-payer has dropped sharply, from £3.5 million three years ago to less than £1 million last year. Actual incidents were down from 3879 to under 1000.

Chief Inspector Brian Weir, of Tayside Police, said, “We share Councillor Farquhar’s concern about vandalism, and we are in constant dialogue with the council in working to prevent further occurrences.

“Where vandalism does occur, we urge the public to get in touch with us straight away. We do investigate every incidence of vandalism.”

He added, “Vandalism is one of the communities’ real concerns. Vandalism is down this year from last year in Dundee, and continues to fall, while the detection rate is increasing year-on-year.”