Police on Saturday arrested a 32 year-old Singaporean in connection with the vandalism of the Cenotaph war memorial at the Esplanade Park.

The suspect was nabbed by Central Police Division officers at about 11.30am, in a Handy Road building just three days after the incident was reported, said the police.

"Extensive investigations and round the clock enquiries were conducted," said the spokesman. "Among the exhibits seized are a long-sleeved T-shirt, a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shoes, a 'tote' bag, and a pair of headphones for investigation."

The case was first reported on April 24 at 7.17am, by a member of public who saw that the war monument was sprayed with graffiti.

The Cenotaph, the first military commemorative structure in Singapore honouring those who died in the two World Wars, was vandalised late on Tuesday night, according to some witnesses.

Located at Esplanade Park along Connaught Drive, the national monument was spray-painted with the word "democracy" in red with a big "X" under it.

The "X" cancelled out the dates 1914 to 1918, which mark the period when World War I raged.

If found guilty of the offence, he shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years, and shall also, subject to sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, be punished with caning with not less than three strokes and not more than eight strokes.