Mindless vandals have once again trashed a Lanarkshire garden group's green space.
Grow 73 in Rutherglen has experienced problems throughout the summer, with gangs of teenagers drinking and vandalising their area in Overtoun Park.
The latest incident saw youths attempt to start a fire using bales of straw at the site, as well as smashing up benches, leaving broken bottles strewn across the grass and damaging some of the group's other equipment.
Police have now told Lanarkshire Live they will increase the number of patrols by community officers in a bid to crack down on the ongoing trouble, particularly with further warm weather expected this weekend.
In a Facebook post, Grow 73's Eugenie Aroutcheff wrote: "Around 6.30pm (on Friday, August 5) a group of people came to pay us a visit.
"Drinking , smashing bottles around , setting fire to our bale of straw and anything they could set their hands on really.
"It was not just a group wanting to find a quiet place to socialise and have a few drinks, it was with the aim to destroy!
"As you know our work is with the community and for the community , endless hours of volunteering and love and care and investment to make this community garden a place for all to enjoy. Can we please ask that if you notice anything unusual that you call the police on 101 .
"No one called yesterday and it seemed to have been by chance that the fire crew were able to come in and stop the fire. It could have been worse!
"I understand that youths don’t have many options to go and hang around but this can be done with us in a respectful way."
Police confirmed that an incident had been noted and were visiting the area this week.
Inspector Kevin Miller of Rutherglen police said: "I will raise the issues at the Hub meeting on Wednesday to ensure partners in the community wardens service add this location to their patrols in their mobile CCTV van.
"Community officers will provide additional foot patrols to the area to deter any further acts of vandalism."
Volunteers at the group spent part of Monday tidying up the mess before resuming their usual work there.
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