Berlin  - Vandals sprayed the display windows of the premier Berlin department store KaDeWe green early Thursday, photographing their stunt before vanishing, police in the German capital said.

The entire front of the shop on the Tauentzienstrasse in the western part of the city had been sprayed, apparently with a fire extinguisher, they said.

A passer-by saw the apparent culprits taking photographs at around 6 am and alerted the police.

The street windows of the famous store are currently displaying the work of a Chinese artist, but police could not say whether there was a link with the paint attack.

KaDeWe - formally Kaufhaus des Westens (Western Department Store)- with its luxurious interior, wide range of top-quality goods and renowned gourmet section, is often compared with Harrods in London. (dpa)