‘Hate incident’ graffiti under investigation
Police are this week investigating reports of sectarian graffiti daubed across walls in Hamilton at the weekend.
Walls in the Burnbank and Udston area were vandalised with offensive slurs sprawled with spray paint.
The incidents sparked a quick cleanup mission as South Lanarkshire Council worked with local officers to remove the graffiti.
Numerous lamp posts had flags hung from them, most of which have now been taken down, while graffiti was sprayed close to a nearby high school.
Another wall facing the main road in the George Street area was vandalised with spray paint.
In some areas, kerbs beside pavements were coloured blue, white and red as dozens of residents made complaints.
Police and South Lanarkshire Council have received a number of reports already as they work to remove the vandalism.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of offensive flags and graffiti in the Burnbank area on Monday, March 22.
“The local council was contacted to remove the graffiti. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident, which officers are treating as a hate incident.
“Anyone with information in connection is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1565 of 23 March.”
South Lanarkshire Council were prompt to act on the complaints being made. They have removed all graffiti that was reported over the weekend.
It followed the 1-1 draw in the Celtic and Rangers game on Sunday.
Alistair Mckinnon, Head of Facilities Waste and Grounds Services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “All of the graffiti reported to us since the weekend has now been cleaned, and our operatives have spent time looking in the local area to determine if there is anything additional that needs attention.
“In general, we aim to clean all graffiti within five working days but, if it is deemed offensive, we try to have it cleaned within one working day.
“We are aware that the police are looking into these particular cases of graffiti and will assist them in any way we can.”
Burnbank councillor Stephanie Callaghan said locals were offended by what was displayed. She said: “I appreciate Rangers’ recent title win is an exciting occasion that fans wish to celebrate, and congratulations to Rangers Football Club on winning the coveted title.
“However, several residents have been in touch to express concern at the number of flags on show in Burnbank area, noting their nearness to local schools.
“People contacting me said they worried these flags might stir up bigotry and sectarianism, resulting in antisocial behaviours and vandalism.
“I think it’s important to realise that often flags themselves are not the issue but the conduct that sometimes accompanies them.
“I would ask people to bear this in mind and recognise that flying flags can be seen as provocative and lead to threatening gestures and words, or even violence. The residents contacting me stated they were offended.
“It’s important to be sensitive to the feelings of those around us and reflect on whether our actions might result in others coming to harm, be that directly or indirectly.
“Respect and consideration are key and I would ask supporters of any club to think in those terms and act responsibly.”
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, originally from nearby Blantyre, told the Advertiser many residents have been in touch with her to report the vandalism.
She said: “I have received a significant number of enquiries and concerns in relation to the unauthorised installation of flags on lampposts and reports of sectarian graffiti in Burnbank.
“I have raised these matters with South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland. There must be zero tolerance of sectarianism, and it is right that these issues are thoroughly investigated by Police Scotland.”
Displaying flags and banners in public is not allowed without permission by South Lanarkshire Council.