POLICE are hunting heartless yobs who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by targeting a popular play park.
An ‘inclusive swing’ used by kids with disabilities was torched during the mindless arson attack at the play area in Kintyre Avenue, Linwood.
A crew from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at around 8.40pm on Friday.
Firefighters found litter ablaze but managed to extinguish the flames before anyone was injured.
Councillor Alison Dowling, who represents Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, has slammed those responsible for the damage.
She told The Gazette: “Unfortunately, due to the likely cost, full refurbishment of the swing and surface may need to wait until April 2022.
“The council estimates the cost of the damage to be in the region of £3,000 to £5,000.
“I’ve asked council officers to look at Kintyre Park with a view to installing lighting. This would discourage anti-social behaviour and dramatically extend the time that families and young people could use the park during winter, when it gets dark around 4pm.”
Councillor Dowling has also backed plans put forward by Lesley Compston, of Linwood Active, to organise a fundraiser for the play park to increase community engagement and awareness.
She added: “I’ve spoken to residents who live near Kintyre Park who are thoroughly fed up with anti-social behaviour by a small number of young people who have targeted homes as well as the park, such as throwing things at windows and kicking front doors.
“I’m told that two wheelie bins were stolen from houses in the area at the weekend and then used to set the fires in Kintyre Park. I’ll be speaking further with community policing regarding anti-social behaviour in the area.
“Linwood is a great place to live and work and, thankfully, this kind of unacceptable, destructive behaviour is rare.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “At a time when we are investing £1.25million to transform 14 play parks in Renfrewshire, as well as refurbishing seven others, it is disheartening to see vandalism to an inclusive swing take place.
“We want our play parks to be inviting places for all young people and families and we will undertake the costly repairs required to ensure it is available for local people in Linwood to use safely once again.”
A police spokesperson said enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call officers on 101.
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