DARTMOOR walkers are angry over outbreaks of graffiti vandalism on The Pimple at Whitchurch Down, writes Lindsay Turpin

Within one week the Grade II Listed building and popular landmark was defaced with black graffiti — handwritten and sprayed.

The Pimple, privately owned, was only recently renovated after the outside needed repairing.

Tavistock resident Tim Baxter found the graffiti last Wednesday (May 20) when walking his dog Charlie and returned the following day to find more had been added.

Tim, who walks over The Pimple almost every day with Charlie, said: ‘I saw the “L.G” sprayed approximately 600mm high letters in black spray paint. I saw the “Will” similarly sprayed on the wooden slat seating just this morning — I didn’t see it there yesterday (Wednesday) nor the “Ode” written in black felt tip pen which I noticed this morning too.

Also, someone has written on the wood ‘Humanity is not a virus, end the lockdown’

‘I sincerely hope the “artists” get caught and dealt with properly — their first task should be to clean it off.’

The graffiti tag ‘Will’ was sprayed on one of the new seats at the landmark.

Tavistock police have been made aware of the graffiti incidents and said that this type of vandalism was classed as criminal damage. Anyone with information on the vandalism should contact police by calling or emailing 101.

The triangular structure, commissioned by the Duke of Bedford in 1914 and designed by England’s most famous 20th century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, was the entrance to a new reservoir. Designed and built in 1914 as a ‘Folly’, Lutyens wanted it to be more than the entrance to a reservoir supplying the town and he built a focal point for the town’s pleasure.

The building was awarded Listed status in 1983. When the building became redundant South West Water sold it to a private owner with responsibility for its upkeep.