Vandals cause £8000 of damage at Castlemilk swimming pool

Officers are searching for the mindless yobs who smashed six panes of glass at the Castlemilk Pool last weekend, causing £8000 of damage.

It is the second time it has been targeted in the space of a month, the Evening Times understands.

The most recent incident took place at about 3.30pm on Saturday May 30.

There have also been reports of windows being smashed on buses passing by, or near, the leisure centre.

Police confirmed the latest bus window-smashing incident took place on April 27.

Although repair work needs to be carried out to the windows, Glasgow Life has kept the swimming pool on Castlemilk Drive open to allow members of the community to use it.

Staff confirmed the centre will stay open, with a spokesman saying work would begin "as soon as possible."

The venue was described by some residents as "a lifeline", with both children and adults using it regularly.

Angry locals took to social media to express their concern, with some blaming the lack of amenities in the area for the amount of anti-social behaviour, while others said the community should do more to engage youngsters and stop the vandalism from happening.

Taxpayers will now have to foot the bill for the repairs to be carried out, expected to be about £16,000 for the two swimming pool incidents.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life, which runs Glasgow's leisure and culture facilities on behalf of the council, said: "The good news is the pool is operating and it shouldn't have any impact on the running of the pool while repairs are carried out.

"Six panes of glass were broken at Castlemilk Pool at the weekend.

"The pool remains open and we expect it will stay open while repairs are carried out."

A police spokeswoman said: "At about 3.25pm on Saturday, May 30, police were called to reports of a vandalism at Castlemilk Pool on Castlemilk Drive in Glasgow.

"The damage is estimated to be approximately £8000.

"Enquiries are continuing."