Some of the vandalism that was left on signs at a nature reserve (Picture: Masons)

A group of ‘extreme’ vegans are being hunted by cops after spraying offensive graffiti on park signs and equipment.

The vigilante ‘Vegan Vandals’ have been targeting family beauty spots in a bizarre stand over people eating meat and products from animals.

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But their behaviour has been blasted by vegan groups and animal rights charities who have branded the slogans as nothing more than ‘senseless vandalism’.

Around 15 sites, made up of parks and public spaces, have been targeted with marker pens around Broxbourne, Hatfield, Welwyn and Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.


Julia Witting, parish councillor for Stanstead Abbots, slammed the vandals stating: ‘There has been some damage done to the signs around the nature reserves.

A response from a ‘meat, milk and veg man’ (Picture: Masons)

‘It is a great shame that they are apparently in favour of animal rights and yet they have damaged a reserve with animals.’



The messages are scrawled across park signs and trees and include messages such as ‘not your mum, not your milk’ and ‘I stopped drinking cow’s milk when I realised I wasn’t a baby cow’.

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One message written in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, compelled an anonymous reader to write a page-long response, arguing against veganism and rejecting statements like ‘you would not eat your pet dog’.

Representatives from Hertfordshire Animal Rights, Herts Vegetarians & Vegans, and Hertfordshire Chicken Save said that these vigilantes do not represent the majority of vegans and do not condemn their behaviour.

The joint statement read: ‘We condemn the senseless vandalism committed by The Vegan Vandals.

‘Vandalising areas of such beauty, which are largely managed by volunteers, only serves to make people angry and perpetuate stereotypes about vegans that most of us try so hard to disprove.

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‘Not one person will look at their ‘work’ and think about going vegan or cutting out animal products.

‘It is important to note that these people are a fringe minority within the vegan community and do not represent the majority.

‘A well-planned vegan diet can provide all the nutrients one needs, and is supported by the NHS and British Dietetics Associations as being suitable for all age groups.

‘And with a growing number of vegan products in supermarkets, health food stores, restaurants and coffee shops, it has never been easier to go vegan.

‘Not only is veganism healthy, it is kinder to animals – over 60 billion land animals, and countless marine animals, are killed every year for consumption.

‘Animal farming is also the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.’

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A lengthy response from an anonymous source outlined the importance of eating meat and claiming that ‘man’s evolution is because of a better diet and I will let you work out how and why life in Europe is so much better that people seek to come here from across the world’.

But David Busbridge, 46, who lives next to the vandalised Ellenbrook Field in Hatfield, Herts., said: ‘When I saw it, it I found it quite funny. It made me smile.

‘The field with the graffiti is right next to my house and It has made me laugh.

‘I thought the response was even funnier and the guy made some good points.’

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: ‘Police are aware of a number of incidents where damage has been caused to information signs at nature reserves, wooded areas and other outdoor areas.

‘Officers from the Rural Operational Support Team are investigating and enquiries are ongoing at this stage.’