DIM-WITTED vandals have painted offensive graffiti aimed at the Muslim community right under CCTV on a popular walkway in the Gorbals.

The racist slur, ‘stop Muslim invasion’ has appeared on the walkway on Waterside Street near to the River Clyde.

The path is a popular walkway which takes users from the Glasgow Green through the Gorbals to the new Richmond Park estate.

The walkway is used regularly by residents and tourists, and footfall is expected to increase when a new pub opens in Richmond Park.

The Evening Times understands that vandals have targeted the area with similar graffiti at least three times.

The location of the current graffiti, however, is directly below CCTV which is understood to be in operation.

Ian Fraser, who lives on Waterside Street, has called for the area to be regenerated. He believes a graffiti mural from a local artist could brighten up the spot and keep vandals at bay.

He said: “The whole wall is pretty grotty. The Gorbals is tarred with a bad name, people say it is wild.

“But the Gorbals has settled down in the last 30 years and to see that is shocking.

“People want to live in a community where they feel inclusive and safe.”

He added: “Kids use the path and they might look at that and ask their parents what it is about. which they would then have to explain to them. It is just horrible.”

Local councillor Soryia Siddique confirmed that she had contacted Glasgow City Council’s Environmental Task Force to ask for the graffiti to be removed.

She said: “I’ve contacted the Environmental Task Force and asked them to remove the anti Muslim graffiti.

“The Gorbals has a history of immigration - its diverse and welcoming.

“This Graffiti is unacceptable. There has been suggestions the community could be involved in replacing the hate Graffiti with a positive art project.”

Police Scotland said that they were not aware of the graffiti and confirmed it had not been reported to them.

Glasgow City Council confirmed that the Environmental Task Force team had received a report of the graffiti and that it would be removed.

A spokesman said: “We received a report of racist graffiti and this has been passed to the local team for removal.”