Vandals daubed a factory-fresh new Piccadilly line train with graffiti on its way to the depot.

The train had only just arrived in the UK from Germany via the Channel Tunnel when it was spray-painted in the early of Monday morning (October 14).

It is among a new fleet for the Piccadilly line manufactured by Siemens, the first of which will enter service next year.

British Transport Police confirmed that it received reports of “criminal damage to several train carriages” at 6.45am yesterday morning.

It is believed that the vandalism took place at Latchmere Junction in Clapham. The train has since been cleaned and driven to its depot in west London.

Pictures posted to social media showed yellow, blue and purple spray paint on the side of some of the train's carriages. 

Police are investigating the incident, urging anyone with information to text them on 61016, quoting reference 75 of 14 October.

In total, 94 air-conditioned trains will serve the Piccadilly line by 2028, increasing capacity at peak times by almost a quarter.

Testing on the first of these trains is expected to begin before the end of this year.

Some of the new fleet will be built at Siemens' factory in Vienna, with the majority assembled in Goole, Yorkshire.