Anger as vandals spray graffiti on Peak District beauty spot

VANDALS have defaced a beloved Peak District beauty spot with spray paint.

The Roaches, between Buxton and Leek, which is iconic for its rocky formation, was targeted over the weekend.

The culprits spray-painted swear words and political slogans on the outcrop in blue and red paint. These include phrases such as “Trump 2020” and “Bojo 2020”, as well as the bizarre “Actimel is good for your gut”.

It is not known when the act took place, but pictures of the damage began to emerge on Sunday. The graffiti has since been removed from the site, which is managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

Many ramblers took to social media to share their disgust at the “moronic” actions.

Writing on the Roaches Appreciation Society Facebook page, one man said: “To think they actually took the time to travel up there to do that.” Another added: “It’s horrible wanton destruction. I feel sick to the stomach seeing this.”

And a third said: “A place of such natural beauty, a place I grew up and call home, to see this really does sicken me. I really hope the people who did this are heavily fined and made to clean it up.”

A nearby resident believes the vandals arrived in the middle of the night. He said: “We heard cars with loud exhausts coming up the road during the night. It could be a coincidence maybe, but it woke us up a few times. This is absolutely shocking, I’m very sad and angry.”

People are appealing for anyone who knows the identities of those responsible for the graffiti to get in touch with the police.

The latest vandal attack comes decades after the “nose” of the famous Winking Man outcrop at the site was deliberately smashed off in the 1970s.

The Roaches – named after the French word for rocks – have become increasingly busy during lockdown as more families have ventured out for walks. The popularity of the 1,657ft escarpment caused police and park rangers to issue appeals urging people to stay away due to the inconsiderate parking.