GRAFFITI daubed on a Listed cob wall in Exeter Road caused outrage in Crediton earlier today.

It was the second time within a matter of weeks that graffiti has appeared on the wall, which is owned by the residents of 1-9 Saxon Close.

Hollie Dommett, chairperson of the management company which owns the wall, said after the previous incident: “Residents were horrified to find that the wall had been defaced with graffiti.

“One saving grace is that the graffiti itself is not ‘crude’ or ‘offensive’. It is clearly an environmental message about CO2.

“The act must have taken place late at night on Friday night but thus far we have no idea who did it. I am of the opinion that it must be an adult as opposed to ‘kids’ just causing damage as it must have taken some time to do and is quite a sophisticated message.”

Hollie said that the incident was reported to the police and the conservation officer at Mid Devon District Council.

Fortunately a band of local councillors and volunteers scrubbed the wall clean following the first incident.

Following the latest incident, which occurred late on August 20 or early this morning, August 21, Hollie said: “Unbelievably I have just woken up to find that the wall has been re-graffitied exactly the same as before. What is wrong with people? Don’t they have something better to do on a Tuesday night?

“The eco group responsible for it need to get a grip and realise that it’s a protected listed wall and that they are doing more damage than good!”

Tim Matthews, from Crediton, who is also a Crediton Town Councillor, commented: “The latest incidence of graffiti on an ancient cob wall along Exeter Road is a disgrace.

“The first example, put up several weeks ago, was removed by Councillor Mike Szabo, myself and some friends. We cannot remove all graffiti, we’re volunteers. It is, of course, the job of Mid Devon Council to take effective action in this regard.

“I have reported this to Mid Devon and also to the Police. This sort of thing is a crime and should be treated as such.

“What is more, those responsible, the Extinction Rebellion group, claim to be concerned, to care about our environment and yet here they are committing open acts of vandalism.

“Worse still, several drivers have reported to me that they’ve been put off by the graffiti and I believe that it’s only a matter of time before there’s an accident as a result.

“All graffiti is a blight on our town and I am sure that local residents will join me in condemning this second attack this ancient wall.”

Joan Farley, who lives opposite the wall, told the “Courier”: “Do people know that the cob wall in Exeter Road, Crediton, is a Listed wall?

“These nuts have been at it again, Disgraceful!

“This could cause a nasty accident, drivers taking their eyes off the road.

“If you must paint rubbish on the main road, paint it on your road, not ours.

“Pollution is bad in Exeter Road also with all the houses being built. We need safety measures - this is more important.”

The local branch of Extinction Rebellion was asked for a comment but nothing has been forthcoming at the time of going to press.

Some members of the local group were angry that the wall had been covered again, stating: “I thought we were going to get people’s permission for this”.

POLICE INVESTIGATION

Crediton Police are investigating the incident. If anyone has any information/witnessed the incidents the police ask people to make contact via 101 quoting crime reference CR/075666/19.

• What do you think about the graffiti on the wall in Exeter Road? Share your views with fellow ‘Courier’ readers.

Write a letter, suitable for publication and with your name, address and a daytime telephone number, to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

Alternatively, email your letter, with the required information, to: [email protected] .

• See the “Crediton Courier” this coming Friday for more reaction and reader’s letters.