A SPRAY paint attack on St James Chapel, which is the latest incident in a spate of vandalism at the site, has been described as 'heartbreaking'.
Church leaders in the town are calling for assistance from the public in keeping an eye on the chapel which has been the subject of eight acts of vandalism in two weeks.
At the end of last week paint was sprayed on the benches, walls, Jacobean pews and a treasured 1873 bible which had to be destroyed.
The Rev Russell Chamberlain said in one attack some 400-year-old fittings were vandalised.
'Apart from these attacks being an offence against the Christian faith to which the chapel bears witness as well as causing irreparable damage to Okehampton's heritage, the chapel is visited by numerous tourists and such mindless acts reflect badly on our local community,' he said.
The St James Chapel trustees have been reluctant to install surveillance cameras inside the chapel because they feel it would be an intrusion.
'We would very much appreciate it if people could help us by keeping an eye on the chapel during the day when these acts are being committed and perhaps make a point of calling in when passing,' said Mr Chamberlain.
Curate Paul Fitzgerald said the first incidents were fairly childish like pages being ripped out of the visitors' book and pens being scratched on the woodwork.
'A lot of it is low grade stuff but whoever is doing it seems to have gone crazy now — this latest attack was heartbreaking.
Mr Fitzgerald said there was no intention to close the chapel during the day because there was a great need for it.
'The chapel is very much the spiritual heart of the town and it is used by people from all denominations — that is what it is there for and that will not change.
'We have reported the incidents to the police but short of putting a police officer inside the chapel there is not a lot else they can do.'