Bigot graffiti
Nil By Mouth slam vandals’ poisonous slogans
Sectarian graffiti in Rutherglen is a “hate crime” according to Scotland’s anti-bigotry charity.
The slogans were reported to the Reformer by a concerned reader who spotted them in the underpass between Rutherglen Main Street and Mill Street.
Sectarian graffiti in Rutherglen is a “hate crime” according to Scotland’s anti-bigotry charity.
The slogans were reported to the Reformer by a concerned reader who spotted them in the underpass between Rutherglen Main Street and Mill Street.
One of the messages read “We hate prods” while another says “FTDOBS” which stands for “F*** the dirty orange b*******”.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Whilst there has been a noticeable increase in graffiti around Rutherglen recently I was very disheartened to see that there is now a sectarian element to this mindlessness, case in point being the anti-Protestant messages daubed on the walls of the underpass.
“This is obviously the work of local disaffected youths, and you can only hope that once they mature they will realise that hatred of a section of society based on religious or political beliefs is not the mindset to bring up any children that they may bring in to this world, unlike their own parents.”
Dave Scott, a spokesman for anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth, urged residents to report the offensive vandalism.
He said: “These are the actions of a mindless, idiotic and moronic individual. This sort of sectarian nonsense does not belong in Rutherglen and we would hope, because it is a hate crime, South Lanarkshire Council prioritise it in terms of cleaning it up.
“Putting it in context, these actions are often one individual and should not reflect on the community as a whole.”
Referring to Cairns and St Cadoc’s primary schools who picked up Nil By Mouth’s champions for change award earlier this year, Mr Scott added: “Sectarian morons like this want to try and damage those relationships.”
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed the graffiti was due to be cleaned off yesterday, Tuesday.
Speaking on Monday, Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services, said; “I would like to thank the Reformer for bringing this to our attention, an inspection has now been carried out and a graffiti removal team is scheduled to visit the location tomorrow morning.
“We take offensive graffiti extremely seriously and I would encourage people to report it by phoning 0303 123 1020.”
The council also advises that there is an online form for reporting graffiti at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/forms/form/164/en/land_services_enquiry. However, officers say they are able to respond more quickly if it is reported by telephone.
This sort of sectarian nonsense does not belong in Rutherglen