Police and community leaders have hit out at yobs who scrawled sinister sectarian graffiti on a motorway footbridge.
The despicable slogan ‘All Taigs are targets’ appeared on the M8 crossing between Renfrew and Hillington over the weekend, causing uproar in the community.
Councillor Jim Paterson, who represents the Renfrew South and Gallowhill ward, branded it as ‘unacceptable’ and said he was attempting to have it removed quickly.
The message was sprayed several times on the highly-visible walkway.
Councillor Paterson said: “I have been contacted by several Renfrew residents over the weekend about the unacceptable sectarian graffiti that has appeared on the Arkleston Bridge.
“This is the latest in several instances of this type of graffiti in the Renfrew South area.
“I have been in touch with the environment department to ask that it be removed as matter of priority.”
Police said they are investigating the incident and urged residents with information to come forward.
Inspector Allan O’Hare, from Renfrewshire community policing team, said: “We are aware that sectarian graffiti has been sprayed on the motorway footbridge between Renfrew and Hillington.
“We are investigating this despicable incident and would urge anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area over the last few days to come forward to police.”
He added: “Hate crimes such as these have absolutely no place in our community and will simply not be tolerated.
“We are carrying out a number of enquiries in the area and would ask anyone with information to get in touch.”
The word Taig is considered by many to be an offensive ethnic slur and a derogatory term for a Catholic or Irish Nationalist.
A similar slogan was also daubed on an Irish heritage centre in Coatbridge last month.
The £2.5million footbridge was opened in September 2015.
