VANDALS armed with petrol bombs tried to set a community garden on fire before targeting a primary school, the Evening Times can reveal. 

Firebugs weilding petrol cannisters and flaming bottles tried to set equipment at a community garden, on the site of Cleeves Primary, alight last night just an hour before going on to torch Gowanbank Primary on Overtown Avenue, Pollok. 

Staff at Cleeves primary school on Househillmuir Road saw yobs armed with the makeshift petrol bombs throwing them at the community garden, however they were unsuccessful at setting it alight.

A janitor is understood to have had to extinguish several small fires on the grass nearby after the petrol bombs missed.

Glasgow Times:

Police are now investigating the incident, as well as the deliberate blaze at Gowanbank which started around 6.30pm last night.

They have not ruled out the two incidents are linked, and have appealed to locals who have information to get in touch.

Glasgow City Council has been forced to close Gowanbank today and tomorrow due to the damage caused, but it is hoped the school will reopen to around 100 kids on Monday.

Glasgow Times:

Detective Sergeant Graham Scott said: “The damage caused by the fire is significant, resulting in the school being closed.  

"More than 100 local children attend the school so its closure today and tomorrow will severely impact on them and their parents.  

"Enquiries carried out so far have revealed a group of four or five youths, boys and girls, with two youths on bikes, were seen in the area around the time of the incident and I am urging them and anyone else who was in the vicinity to contact us.  

“We also have information of an attempt to set fire to a community garden in Cleeves Primary school, Househillmuir Road, Pollok approximately one hour before the fire at Gowanbank.  

"This attempt was unsuccessful, however we are investigating both incidents and at this stage cannot rule out if they are linked.  

"If anyone has any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact police and pass it on, your information could prove vital in tracing those responsible.”

Anyone with any information or knowledge is asked to contact CID officers at Govan Police Office via 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on on 0800 555 111.