Vandals scrawled vile racial and homophobic slurs on a historic North Ayrshire landmark.
The damage was discovered by police at the Abbey Tower Heritage Centre in Kilwinning yesterday.
It's believed the offensive wording was daubed on the structure, which dates back to the 1100s, at some point between last Wednesday and Saturday.
Specialist cleaning solution was required to remove the chalk graffiti with Historic Environment Scotland and North Ayrshire Council's Streetscene team drafted in to advise on the best way forward.
Now police have issued an appeal for information in a bid to trace those responsible for the incident.
Posting on its Facebook page, Ayrshire police said: "Locality officers on routine cycle patrol yesterday found a series of racial and homophobic slurs written in coloured chalk on the Abbey Tower Heritage Centre, Kilwinning.
"Kilwinning Abbey, founded in the 1100s, is a scheduled monument – protected as a site of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Areas Act 1979.
"Taking advice from Historic Environment Scotland and North Ayrshire Council's Streetscene team, the abbey required a specialist cleaning solution to remove it from the ashlar sandstone without causing further damage.
"Enquiries indicate the offensive chalk scrawls may have been written between Wednesday, May 10 and Saturday, May 13. Anyone with information, please call 101 – reference UA03820523.
"Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Fearless – the Crimestoppers Scotland charity for young people aged 11 to 16 on 0800 555."
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