A community woodland was trashed at the weekend after a gathering to celebrate the life of a young East Kilbride man who tragically died.
Now East Kilbride-based charity, K-Woodlands, have slammed the actions of those involved, with police being called over the incident.
East Kilbride Community Trust - who own and maintain the land - told Lanarkshire Live how louts were boozing, allegedly taking drugs, urinating and even defecating in sight of the public.
Their actions were also reported to have intimidated walkers and families using the greenspace, with volunteers left to clear up the "disgusting and disturbing" mess - that included a seven-year-old boy.
Posting on Facebook, the group claimed: "Yesterday we had a large group of young men come together in our woodlands to celebrate the life of a young man who tragically passed away.
"We were respectful and accommodating to the group, however, sadly as the gathering progressed the group were drinking alcohol to excess, taking drugs, intimidating walkers and families, being very loud and obnoxious, urinating and defecating in sight of the public.
"As a result many complaints were made to Police Scotland regarding their behaviour.
"Our youth and adult volunteers litter-picked all the rubbish left behind and were horrified at some items that were left and were picked up.
"I was extremely disappointed with Police Scotland in how they 'managed' the situation. Instead of dealing with it head on, they just moved the group onto another part of our woodlands to cause more litter, more damage, anti-social behaviour and disruption."
The group work tirelessly to maintain and enhance the privately owned woodlands for the community to use for their mental health and well-being, outdoor play, and outdoor education.
Among the work carried out is restoration of the ponds planting of over 600 more trees under the Queen's Green Canopy scheme and they are creating a bee and butterfly corridor within the green space as well as educational planters.
The charity have, however, since received an apology and a promise from some to get involved with their work to make amends.
The group spokeswoman told us : "As you can imagine, it is absolutely soul destroying to see all our hard work go to ruin in the hands of anti-social behaviour.
"Although this type of incident thankfully does not happen regularly, it does however highlight the importance of securing our site.
"It also highlights the need to support today’s young males mental health support.
"K-Woodlands will soon be running peer support groups for young men’s mental health, to help improve young men's quality of life and expand and enrich young men’s connections."
The charity group are also now appealing for more help from public bodies, local businesses and politicians to find the funding to increase its resources and security, protect the conservation of its greenspace and sustain the levels of ever growing bio-diversity within the woodland.
EK MSP, Colette Stevenson, called the behaviour "clearly unacceptable" with MP Lisa Cameron calling for anti-social behaviour to be tackled wherever it occurs.
A Police Scotland spokseman confirmed officers attended and "moved on" those involved.
He added: "“Most of those involved ran off. Those left were given suitable advice and no offences were identified.
“We work closely with partner agencies to address anti-social behaviour and trace those responsible, and would urge individuals to take responsibility for their actions when using public spaces.”
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