Vandals tag buildings, owned by Morwell Fire Brigade, at Maryvale Reserve on Grant St

“Inconsiderate” and “senseless” vandals have graffitied several buildings at a reserve in Morwell, which had to be cleaned by fed up volunteers.

The Maryvale Reserve on Grant St in Morwell was graffitied by vandals last week, which took volunteers from the Morwell CFA brigade four days to remove. Picture: Facebook/Morwell Fire Brigade

“Senseless” graffiti vandals have gone on a rampage defacing buildings owned by the local CFA at a park in Morwell.

Morwell CFA brigade captain Wayne Draper said the mindless vandalism at Maryvale Reserve was “disgusting”.

“It’s senseless stuff that shouldn’t have been done — we’re all volunteers and that’s our area — we spent four days cleaning it off,” Mr Draper said.

“They (the offenders) came back on the Wednesday night and redid one of the judge’s boxes and we had to clean that again too.”

Mr Draper said if the brigade had to replace all the vandalised shutters, it would have cost up to $6000.

The vandals spray painted many different tags on the buildings at the Maryvale Reserve. Picture: Facebook/Morwell Fire Brigade

He said the vandals had also targeted nearby buildings owned by Latrobe City Council, which had since been cleaned

Mr Draper said he believed the vandals were youths given the images they used.

“People said they haven’t seen the tags before — and we’re probably not the only ones that got hit (with graffiti) that night — there was probably a few places in Traralgon that got hit too,” Mr Draper said.

It’s believed the vandals are youths given the childish nature of the graffiti. Picture: Facebook/Morwell Fire Brigade

The entire front of one building was tagged Picture: Facebook/Morwell Fire Brigade

“To go and do that sort of stuff — it takes up more of our time and we can’t go and do what we’re meant to do,” Mr Draper said.

Various buildings at the reserve were targeted. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“It’s just senseless to us — it’s criminal — there were a lot of hours put into it (the buildings) to try and get it all off and clean it up so it looks respectable again.

The brigade put up signs to try and deter vandals from striking again. Picture: Jack Colantuono

After the graffiti was removed, the brigade displayed signs on the buildings that said, “This is Morwell Fire Brigade Property — not the council. Please do not create more damage”.

A police spokesperson said investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police are urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report online or contact the Morwell police station on [phone].