Twisted firebugs have torched play equipment at an East Kilbride park.
The wanton vandalism took place on the night of Friday, October 15, at Trent Place in Gardenhall with a swing burned and broken when several areas were set alight.
A second unrecognisable piece of equipment also looks to have been destroyed in the pointless attack.
South Lanarkshire Council have hit out at the louts and are appealing for any witnesses to contact the police.
An angry parent, who was one of those who discovered the damage on Saturday morning, told Lanarkshire Live: "It's a horrible senseless thing to do, the kids are devastated as they and many more use the park daily.
"My youngest is scared to go to the park now as the bad boys might come back. I just don't understand what pleasure anyone would get out of ruining a children's play park, graffiti is one thing but this is another level of badness."
Local councillor Monique McAdams said: "The children and families that have loved using this children’s play park are the ones that suffer from the needless vandalism that happened on Friday evening into Saturday morning.
"I have contacted the council to ask for an assessment of the damage to be carried out and for the fire damage to be cleaned up, the bin replaced and play equipment replaced.
"I have also contacted the police and fire brigade for an update on the wanton damage.
"Massive well done, to the East Kilbride Litter Pickers page for posting the original photos of the damage and highlighting it to the concerned Gardenhall, Mossneuk and Hairmyres constituents who contacted me to look into the incident.
"If you have any information about this incident which could help the police please do not hesitate to contact them. We all need to take a collective approach to looking after our area.”
Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities waste and grounds services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “It is always disappointing when vandalism occurs and is distressing to the children who use the play park, not to mention the serious danger that those committing the crime are placing themselves in.
“I would urge anyone with information on this or any other act of vandalism to contact the police. In the meantime, we visited the site as a matter of urgency yesterday (Monday) morning to make it safe until the facilities are able to be restored.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were contacted but said they had no record of crews attending a fire at that location.
Police were contacted for comment.
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