POLICE are investigating after a church in Glasgow's West End was ransacked by vandals in a daytime attack.

Officers believe St Simon's Catholic church on Partick Bridge Street was targeted between 1.30pm and 4pm on Monday afternoon, when the church was open and said there was "significant damage" to the interiors.

Police said the incident was not thought to be sectarian related or a hate crime offence.

Images shared on Twitter showed damage to the altar area of the church including a shrine to Our Lady of Częstochowa, which has been in the church since the 1940 and is reflective of the Polish parishioners who attend mass in their native language.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow described the incident as a "shameful attack on a much loved church and added: "Let's find those responsible and send out the message loud and clear that this kind of action is unacceptable."

A police spokeswoman said: "Between 1.30pm and 4pm on Monday, April 29, vandalism was carried out at St Simon's church at Partick Bridge Street. 

"The church would have been open at the time."

"There is nothing to suggest the incident is sectarian or hate crime. Inquiries are ongoing."