Security call after hooligans use Glasgow graveyard "as a playground"

Locals living near Lambhill cemetery have complained about youngsters riding bikes over graves and the site being used as a racing track for vehicles.

They have also complained of pot holes springing up all over the Balmore Road cemetery and not being repaired.

It comes after the Evening Times reported last month of a grieving widow who was left horrified to discover the final resting place of her husband had vanished from the same site.

Rena Mackay, 86, was shocked to discover a missing headstone, and another damaged one at the spot where her relatives are buried.

READ MORE: Widow, 86, heartbroken after husband's final resting place 'disappears' from Glasgow cemetery

She had planned to scatter her late husband Douglas' ashes at his parents grave but was unable to find it after the headstone disappeared.

Rena and Douglas Mackay 

When our reporter visited the graveyard last week, a burnt out van could be seen lying yards from where dozens of people had laid their loved ones to rest.

The ground around the van was charred black, indicting it had been set alight on site.

A council poster had been stuck on the front, asking the vehicle's owner to remove it within 24 hours despite it being completely immobile.

Track marks could also been seen on grass verges inside the cemetery where youths are understood to have been riding up and down, racing each other on bikes and riding brazenly over graves.

Neil Jones, who has relatives buried in the graveyard, said he was "appalled" to see the state of the graveyard and has called for increased security on site.

He said: "I come here a couple of times a week and it's just in a total state.

"The pot holes have just turned in to craters, they've been here for ages too. Something needs to be done.

"Kids come in here, young boys, no helmets on, riding trail bikes as if it's a playground. They've been up and down the hills and all over graves.

"It's completely disrespectful.

"There's not much security here. The park ranger locks the gate and that's it. The white Community Safety van comes in sometimes but not often.

"I reported the bikes to the police and they said they would get someone out but I don't know if they did."

A council spokeswoman said they have now increased patrols in the area to help combat the issue.

She said: "The potholes are being addressed next week – it was postponed to coincide with the works at Balmore Road.

"The burnt out van has been reported to Police Scotland to uplift.

"The use of quad bikes is not permitted in any of our cemeteries. Not only is it highly inappropriate it’s simply disrespectful.

"Community Safety Glasgow patrol the cemetery at various times during the week and weekends.

"These patrols have increased and measures are being put in place which will prevent unauthorised access."

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "On 6 May 2016 officers received a complaint regarding youths on motorcycles in Lambhill Cemetery.

"Officers did attend, however there was no trace of those involved. I would ask anyone with any information on this to contact Maryhill Police Office on 101."

Officers are also trying to trace the van owner.