Cruel vandals have damaged children’s artwork just weeks after it was installed in a public underpass.
The mural was unveiled in the Tulloch Underpass over the summer, having been designed by pupils at the nearby primary school.
The walkway, which leads to Tulloch primary school from Nimmo Avenue, had long been the target for vandals and it was hoped the artwork would give it a new lease of life.
However it was discovered graffiti artists had sprayed the brightly-painted walls with tags and offensive language.
Councillor Peter Barrett, convener of the council’s housing and communities committee, said: “This is a real and bitter disappointment. The vandalism is completely unacceptable.
“The work of the pupils and students and everyone involved in the project was tremendous and deserved praise and the fullest appreciation but has been defaced by some ignorant and obscene louts.
“I would urge anyone with knowledge of the perpetrators to pass the information to the police directly or via Crimestoppers.”
The underpass was decorated as part of a project that involved the Safer Communities Team, Perth College UHI and the pupils at Tulloch Primary School.
The paintings were designed by the pupils in P6 at the school and further developed by art students of Perth College UHI to create the finished piece that was then chosen by the pupils, with the entire process taking six months.
Michelle Cassidy, head teacher at Tulloch Primary, said the children had been “upset” by the vandalism.
She said: “Our children worked really hard on their designs and enjoyed working with the Safer Communities Team and Perth College UHI to see these put into reality.
“They all have a sense of pride helping to make a positive difference to their community and were enthusiastic showing these designs off, but now feel upset that their hard work has been vandalised.”
Lesley McKee, of Perth College, added they were disappointed that their work had been targeted.
She said: “The children and students put a great deal of energy, thought and commitment into the realisation of the mural. The results clearly demonstrated this. It’s very sad to see all their hard work so readily disregarded through pointless, mindless vandalism.
“Our students will be disappointed, but ultimately, I fail to see what sense of satisfaction can be taken in undermining the enthusiasm and input of the children.”
The matter has been reported to police but Police Scotland did not respond to a request for comment.