Clean-up operation underway in EK after Rangers' title win

A clean-up operation is underway after graffiti was plastered across East Kilbride following Rangers being awarded the Premiership trophy.

Fireworks were set off throughout the day across the town and graffiti spray-painted across bridges, roads, paths, street furniture and utility boxes.

In Glasgow, five police officers were injured and 28 people arrested as crowds were dispersed due to "rising disorder" in George Square.

Thousands of fans had taken to the streets after the club's first title win in a decade but pictures of riot police out in force and the aftermath in George Square have been branded "disgraceful".

Walls were defaced (EKN)

South Lanarkshire Council has confirmed that work has begun to remove the mess but it will take "some time".

Locals have slammed the vandalism (EKN)

One angry local said: "The mess that Rangers supporters have left in East Kilbride is horrendous... all the painted graffiti on pavements and walls, all around.

"Why should we bear the costs and have to live with this, destroying EK? This needs to be stopped – get them to clean up the paint jobs they were quick enough to vandalise. Look what happened in George Square – moronic behaviour."

Bridges and footpaths were targeted (EKN)

Another disgruntled resident said: "The graffiti in St Leonards beside Mull and Calderglen High School was disgraceful."

Work has begun to cover or remove the graffiti (East Kilbride News)

Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “We are aware that there was an increase in graffiti and flags across East Kilbride during the weekend and our services are working to remove all of these.

The graffiti is all over the town (EKN)

"Given the volume involved, it will take some time to attend to all of it but we will continue work until the situation has been fully addressed.”

EK Area Inspector David Doherty said: "There have been a number of reported vandalisms, items of street furniture spray-painted red/blue and bunting put up around the town. We have liaised with South Lanarkshire Council to have it removed."

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