Volunteers who spent Saturday morning (September 7) painting a mural to brighten up a Teignmouth underpass are devastated after vandals defaced their work with graffiti ‘within hours’ of them finishing for the day.

The group had worked to cover up previous graffiti on the murals volunteers painted last year in the subway that connects Teignmouth railway station with the town centre and were adding detail to the artwork.

Volunteers repainted a mural in a Teignmouth subway
The volunteers who painted murals on a Teignmouth subway wall were devastated when their work was defaced by graffiti 'within hours' (Photo: David Caunter) (David Caunter)

Artwork ideas for the Teignmouth In Mind and Environment (TIME) project had been generated after consultation with the community and visitors to the town. The project is aimed at creating a bright, creative environment where residents can feel a sense of belonging and ownership.

‘It's disheartening to see our community's hard work defaced by graffiti, especially when so many people have come together to improve and brighten our town. The fact that the damage occurred just hours after we completed the project makes it even more painful,’ said Sam Lock, community artist and Teignmouth Recycled Art in the Landscape (TRAIL) co-ordinator. ‘However,’ she added, ‘this setback won't stop us—in fact, it's only strengthened our want to fix this to continue making Teignmouth a beautiful, welcoming place for everyone. We will keep pushing forward, determined to show that creativity and community spirit are stronger than any act of vandalism.’

Some of the group volunteering on Saturday morning were young people with additional needs. ‘I’m really at a loss as to how to break the news to them,’ Sam admitted.

As well as defacing the fresh artwork in the subway by Teignmouth railway station, similar ‘tags’ were also seen on walls by Teignmouth Library, on Quay Road by Teignmouth docks and Clay Lane.

Councillors are optimistic that the perpetrator(s) have been captured on CCTV.

‘We need a joined-up approach. There is a study from the University of Utrecht that says graffiti across an area leads to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour,’ said Councillor David Cox, who had volunteered with the band of painters on Saturday morning.

Teignmouth Town Council has offered a £200 reward for information that helps identify the vandals.