Yobs target OAP centre three times in a month

Volunteers at Glenashton House in the Inch were left devastated after the building was repeatedly targeted in recent weeks.

Stones were hurled at the windows, shattering four of them, in a string of attacks condemned today as “beneath  contempt”.

The facility in Walter Scott Avenue is attended by 16 pensioners each week and provides a comfortable venue to socialise outside their homes.

Police are hunting the culprits behind the vandalism sprees and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman for the Glenashton Community Association, which runs the centre, said: “It’s worrying that the building seems to have been deliberately targeted for some reason. The reason why anyone would target a place which holds a lunch club for the elderly is beyond us.

“Windows have been smashed on three occasions, forcing us to cancel the lunch clubs last week and they will not be held for at least two more weeks while the damage is repaired. A great deal of force has been used to throw these stones and break double-glazed windows. One of the stones went through the glass and struck the back wall. It leaves us wondering whether it’s only kids who are responsible.

“For the people who attend, it’s about getting out the house and giving them the chance to meet other folk, something that can make a huge difference to the elderly.”

Volunteers were forced to buy fish and chips for the pensioners and deliver them by minibus after the lunch club was cancelled last week.

The latest attack took place overnight between last Wednesday and Thursday when two windows were broken. Another window had been smashed over the previous weekend while another was broken two weeks before. The damaged panes have been boarded up and covered with plastic film while they await repair.

Local councillor Bill Cook said: “Glenashton House is a much-needed facility for elderly people in the Inch and nearby area. The sad and pathetic individuals  responsible for this vandalism are beneath contempt.

“They have deprived older members of the community, many in their late 80s or early 90s, the chance to get out of their homes and meet friends. For many of them who are not as mobile as they once were, this may be the only opportunity they have to socialise.

“It’s very sad that anyone could target a place like Glenashton House which their own relatives may well use.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows who has been responsible for this vandalism to contact police or  Crimestoppers.”

A police spokeswoman said: “We are investigating three incidents involving vandalism to a property in Walter Scott Avenue. Anyone with information on those responsible is asked to contact police.”