Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Warning for vandals targeting old church
Putting lives at risk
Coatbridge police have warned youths vandalising an abandoned church in the town they are putting their own lives at risk.
The area around the old Dundyvan Church is causing officers concern as gangs of yobs have been “starting fires, vandalising property and acting in a disorderly manner” in recent weeks.
Inspector Louise Brownlie has called the grounds “incredibly unsafe” and a danger to anyone who congregates at the Oxford Street site.
Coatbridge West councillor Paul Welsh claims he has received “lots of complaints” from his constituents, who have described the site as a “drinking den”.
The century-old B-listed former church building has lain dormant for two decades and concerns over its dilapidated state have featured in previous Advertiser stories.
The recent spate of vandalism has led to Inspector Brownlie meeting with concerned members of the community – and she has also called on parents to monitor the whereabouts of their children.
Inspector Brownlie told the Advertiser: “The physical condition of the derelict building is of great concern and parents are urged to ensure that their children are not using the site to congregate.
“I am liaising with partners to explore long- term solutions to ensure the safety of the public around this site.
“The issue has been in the making for several years but recently the problem has increased as more youths are being drawn to the site.”
A troubled Councillor Welsh added: “I am aware there has been a lot of police activity at the old church of late and have heard the site described as a drinking den.
“People are getting easy access to the grounds and causing lots of problems.
“The grounds may have some value to the wider Coatbridge community, but are a bit of a pain for people who live nearby, due to the mistreatment of the site.
“I’ve had lots of complaints from residents who live on Oxford Street and the vandalism and disorder seems to get worse in the summer.”
Anyone with information on the culprits responsible for vandalising the former church grounds can call Coatbridge police on 101.