Rutherglen Reformer

Police insist park yobs will be stopped

- Murray Spooner

Rutherglen police have reassured local residents they will do all they can to eradicate antisocial behaviour in Cambuslang Park.

The Reformer recently reported a number of incidents where dogs were cutting their paws on sharp pieces of glass in the public gardens.

Any injuries sustained are understood to have come from smashed glass bottles thrown by youths who occupy the bandstand and other areas of the fields, particular­ly at weekends.

South Lanarkshir­e Council told how they maintain a full-time presence from Monday to Friday in the park.

However, Cambuslang residents, highlighte­d the fact that items, including used condoms, from Friday and Saturday nights would not be picked up until at least Monday morning, leaving animals and children vulnerable to injury.

And many came forward to share their experience­s since the issue was brought to light last month.

Angeline Coyle, who regularly walks her dog in the park, was disgusted by the behaviour of some individual­s.

She said: “It’s like the aftermath of T in the Park. There is rubbish and glass left everywhere. It’s absolutely shocking.

“It’s the gangs who hang around at night.

“I was in the park and there was around 60 youngsters. It’s really intimidati­ng. I just picked my dog up and left. I phoned the police while I was in the park and by the time I got to the end they were there.

“It makes me furious because the Friends of Cambuslang Park group do a great job with the park. It’s one of the best kept parks in Glasgow.”

Claire Rennie posted on social media: “I’ve just came back from the park and am disgusted with what I saw. Lots of broken glass and used condoms. Disgusting.” Kimberly Burns added: “They could at least use the bins. There should be more bins in the park.

“All the young ones could at least have a bit of respect and use them. They wouldn’t leave broken glass or rubbish everywhere in their home, outside is no different.”

Inspector Jim Gillespie of Rutherglen Police reassured dog walkers and general users of the park that the officers know about the trouble being caused.

He said: “Our local problem solving team are aware of the antisocial behaviour in the park and there has been additional, both in uniform and in plain clothes, checks.

“We will continue to work with the Friends of Cambuslang Park and the local authority wardens to make sure we are doing as much as we can to stop this kind of behaviour.”

 ??  ?? InjuredLes­ley McEwan with dogs Nala and Hercules who both cut their paws while walking in Cambuslang Park
InjuredLes­ley McEwan with dogs Nala and Hercules who both cut their paws while walking in Cambuslang Park

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