Vandals have sprayed graffiti on the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which overlooks the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro. The mayor of the city called the action "a crime against the nation" and promised that those responsible would be punished.

The vandals sprayed graffiti on the head, the arms and the chest of the 40-metre high statue. One of the slogans they painted was, "If the cat's away, the mice will play".

They were able to carry out their attack by climbing on scaffolding erected for repairs to the statue. It had been closed to visitors following mudslides caused by recent heavy rains in the city.