Swastikas painted on trees in Paignton vandalism

Police said the criminal damage included cutting down trees and spray-painting of offensive symbols at Clennon Lakes

Graffiti and vandalism at a Devon nature reserve has been described as "really upsetting" by locals.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was currently investigating acts of criminal damage at Clennon Valley Lakes, Paignton.

Police said it included the cutting down of trees and the spray-painting of offensive symbols including swastikas.

The lakes are land owned by Torbay Council and were developed in the early 1980s as a recreational space for people to enjoy nature and wildlife.

Mike Langman, chairman of Clennon Lakes Group said the vandalism was "very disappointing".

'Tranquillity spoilt'

Mr Langman said the group had been maintaining the area for more than eight years and until recently had seen minimal vandalism.

"We've been getting the odd bit [of vandalism] here and there, but it doesn't last very long, and it goes away.

"This time it's been going on for probably three or four months, including broken signs."

A refurbished boat which had been painted by the local Brownie group was graffitied

A refurbished boat which had been painted by the local Brownie group and used as a flower bed was also graffitied.

Land owned by the Wild Planet Trust also had trees sprayed with paint, Mr Langman said.

"At the top of the lakes - they had cut down quite a considerable number of trees, and then sprayed those trees with the same black paints again, with swastikas and KKK over the trees, which was really upsetting.

"The tranquillity of the site had been spoilt."

'Respect the area'

On whether he had seen any of the people responsible for the damage, Mr Langman said he was "absolutely positive" he had.

"Unfortunately, it's probably just a very small handful of children doing it.

"We were actually down there working one evening, and the plants were all in place.

"Two minutes later, when we walked back towards our container, which has got the tools in it, we found all the plants ripped up in the meantime.

"A little group of two boys and three girls had walked past us, saying a few words. But we're absolutely positive it was them that did it."

Mr Langman is now encouraging the vandals to use their "energy" to help with the area's maintenance.

"Just respect the area itself and treat it with respect," he said.

"If they've got the energy to carry on and do that sort of thing, come down and and help us out."