POLICE patrols are being stepped up around Tavistock following a spate of graffiti attacks on prominent buildings and structures around the town and officers are asking for the public's help.

In the last two weeks graffiti has been sprayed on the walls of Shillamill Viaduct, Tavistock College, Steeltech's former building at Pitts Cleave Industrial Estate, the Brook Street multi-storey car park and on the A386 underpass.

All the graffiti carries the same signature tags — Scuzz, Spyro or Sore.

Police community support officer for the town Kevin Williams said it was unusual to have so much graffiti in Tavistock.

He said:?'At the moment it is taking place on the outskirts of town but we are concerned that it may come further into the town as the people doing it become braver.

'We have had the odd spates but generally we do not have a huge graffiti problem in Tavistock.

'People use the skateboard park to do it and it doesn't look offensive, it makes it look quite nice up there, but elsewhere it looks unsightly and is very difficult to clean off.'

PCSO Williams is asking parents to be aware if their children are coming home with spray paint on their hands or if they see aerosol paint being sold.

'I would also ask parents to lock away any spray paint that they have in their garages,' he said.

'There are very few places to buy car paint in Tavistock and any that do have a strict policy and do not sell it to youngsters.'

The officer said that normally his first port of call was the college as evidence of a young person's tag or signature was often in their school books, but it was school holidays at the moment.

'The buildings that have been targetted are places you see if you are out for a walk, such as on the viaduct and by the canal,' he said.

Tavistock mayor Philip Sanders said: 'It is very disappointing in a town as pleasant and rural as Tavistock to be confronted by graffiti, which is unsightly for everyone.

'I would encourage any parents if they are aware of their children being involved in these activities to speak to them about it to try and stop it.

'It costs a lot of money to clean off graffiti and this money could be spent on better things.

'I am pleased the police are stepping up patrols but they can only do so much with limited resources.'

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council, which owns the Brook Street car park, said the graffiti attacks were very disappointing: 'We will support the police in anyway we can to help capture the perpetrators. These acts lead to a lot of work for the council.'

Anyone who can help with police enquiries can contact Tavistock police on 08452 777444.