The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fury as historic abbey vandalised by ‘idiots’
ARBROATH: Centuries-old sandstone spray-painted in ‘despicable’ rampage
Two days of vandalism, which included spray paint and a smashed window, at Arbroath’s iconic abbey have led to the perpetrators being slammed as “despicable” by a senior councillor.
Police Scotland are appealing for information after red spray paint, believed to have been stolen from a construction site nearby, was used to daub “AYT” – believed to stand for “Arbroath Young Team” – on the pavement, wooden security fencing and historic stonework.
An expert-led sophisticated process will be required to remove the paint from the soft sandstone, in an operation that will likely cost “well into four figures”.
Scaffolding put in place to allow stonemasons to carry out maintenance on the abbey was used by the vandals to gain access to one of the buildings after they smashed a window using a ladder.
Fire extinguishers were discharged, and youths were seen on the roof of a nearby residential property.
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather branded the incidents as “the actions of idiots”.
Arbroath Abbey has been targeted in a two-day spate of vandalism.
Yobs spray-painted graffiti on the landmark’s walls and pathway, smashed a window and set off fire extinguishers, prompting one councillor to brand the culprits “despicable, mindless buffoons”.
Police are appealing for information after the 12th Century building was attacked twice between Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
The vandals used scaffolding, currently in place around the abbey while stonework is replaced and moss is removed, to get access to the site.
The stonework was tagged with the initials “AYT”, believed to stand for “Arbroath Young Team”.
It is thought they used industrial spray paint stolen from a building site nearby.
Historic Scotland said it could take more than a week – and cost well into four figures – for experts to remove the paint from the soft, porous sandstone.
It is understood a ladder on the scaffolding was also used to smash a window and, once inside the abbey building itself, the vandals removed chairs and left them outside.
Fire extinguishers were taken and discharged on site.
The youths were also seen jumping from the scaffolding on to the roof of a nearby house.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “The abbey is currently undergoing some exterior work so scaffolding is in place, which has been used by the persons responsible to gain access.
“This is highly dangerous, and we would ask parents in the area to be fully aware of what your children are doing, where they are going, and who they are with.
“We would be particularly interested to hear from any parents whose children have come home in the evenings with paint on their clothes or smelling of solvent.”
The incidents follow warnings from Police Scotland and Angus Council after a 10 to 15-strong group of youths were seen climbing the scaffolding at the council’s new housing development in the Abbey Quarter.
Angus Council leader David Fairweather slammed those responsible.
“Arbroath Abbey is a jewel in the crown, not only of Scottish history but also of our tourism economy, so for this to happen is just horrendous,” he said. “The people responsible for this are despicable, mindless buffoons.
“It is not only the damage that they have done that will cost valuable resources to repair, it is also the increased levels of security, as staff try to keep the vandals off the scaffolding, that will add to the financial burden of their actions.
“This is time and money that is being diverted from preserving one of Scotland’s most important buildings, and is instead being used to undo the actions of idiots.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.