Political graffiti vandals brought ”chaos, misery and destruction” to an Angus town.
The comments from community activist Pat Millar come as a police investigation into three separate acts of vandalism and fireraising in Arbroath gathers pace.
Officers are appealing for information as they attempt to trace vandals who daubed spray paint across the gates to Victoria Park one of the town’s most frequently-used public areas.
Slogans were sprayed in red and blue on the white stone pillars, including the phrases ”No More F*** Oil”, ”Save Our Planet” and ”Revolucion Is Now”.
Work to remove the graffiti started on Tuesday but Mrs Millar, who is part of the Arbroath Town Centre Regeneration Forum, said the crimes had saddened her, and made her question whether efforts to improve the town were worthwhile.
She added: ”I am really appalled when I saw that these supposed political activists with their save the planet message have used aerosols to paint their slogans on the gates to the park.
”There are times when words fail me that people have nothing better to do.
”If these people are caught I would recommend they are put in orange boiler suits with ‘I am a vandal’ printed on them, and put to work around Arbroath to repair the damage.”
Police have begun making door-to-door inquiries into the graffiti and another two incidents that also took place over the weekend.
In the early hours of Saturday morning a council-owned garage was destroyed, causing an estimated £6,000.
The roof of the lock-up in Millgate Loan caved in following the blaze, with two men seen in the area shortly before the fire was reported at around 3.40am.
Just hours prior to the fire being reported, a line of parked vehicles in the lower end of Brechin Road, near Montrose Road, had their wing mirrors smashed.
A police spokeswoman said a full investigation into all three matters was under way and confirmed the fire was still being treated as suspicious.
”There is a lot of door-to-door activity taking place and officers are keen to hear from anybody who may have seen or heard anything that could assist inquiries.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the crimes can contact police on 0300 111 2222 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Photo Jim Ratcliffe