CREDITON Police are investigating recent acts of criminal damage in the town where graffiti has been sprayed on public buildings, privately-owned homes and walls, road signs and on other buildings such as public toilets and, most recently, the bus shelter near the Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial.

The bus shelter was sprayed with images on Monday, October 31 and was spotted by one local resident who took to social media and wrote: “Today, on the afternoon school run I saw a young male approx 15 years old, tall, wearing a blue waterproof coat, spray painting (graffiti) in the bus shelter next to the War Memorial.

“I couldn’t get my phone out quick enough to get a photo but I did confront him and ask him why he thinks he has the right to vandalise public property.

“His response was ‘to brighten up the place’.  He rode off on his bicycle.”

She added: “I don’t get the mentality and selfishness!”

The person said that she then tried to report the incident using the 101 number for almost two hours but in the end gave up.

The next day the person was able to report the incident via the online police reporting system.

RUBBISH

Another local resident told the “Courier” about the graffiti: “That guy has sprayed the same sort of graffiti at a few sites in Crediton.

“You can see it is the same person doing it.

“To be honest, his work is rubbish!  He shouldn’t bother, it’s not even good!”

Crediton Police is studying the town’s CCTV to try to trace the person who has committed the criminal damage.

NAME AND SHAME

If you can help the police with their inquiries, especially if you know who the person is or some of the other people causing such criminal damage, you can telephone 101 and ask for Crediton Police.

To make a report anonymously, use the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, use: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously .

In an emergency, use the 999 number.

In the past Crediton Youth Club, run by Crediton Town Council, has run courses for young people to learn how to be a responsible graffiti artist by learning from professional artists.

An example of work created by the youth club members and professional artist can be seen on a wall in Newcombes Meadow.