A doctor’s surgery was trashed and excrement smeared on the walls in an attack on Tuesday evening.

The Edith Cavell Surgery in Streatham Hill, which was forced to close until Thursday morning, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage in the incident.

Patients were left fearing the worst after surgery bosses sent out a text on Wednesday (April 25) saying it had suffered a “serious attack”.

The message said: “Due to a serious attack on our premises, we have had to close our surgery until further notice.

“For medical advice please call NHS Direct or if you need to be seen urgently please go to Gracefield Gardens.”

A spokeswoman for NHS South East said the surgery had since re-opened and repairs had been carried out but would not comment on the incident.

She said: “This is now a police matter as an individual has been arrested and now charged.”

A spokesperson for the surgery also refused to give details about the incident, but said: “Due to patient confidentiality we are not able to give out information regarding the incident that occurred at the surgery on Tuesday (April 24).”

A 45-year-old woman appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Thursday (April 26) charged with criminal damage, assault and using threatening words to cause harassment.