Crucifix set on fire during ‘senseless' attack on Scots cemetery
After entering the cemetery grounds those responsible attacked around 40 headstones, with some being 'demolished'.
A wooden crucifix has been set alight and some 40 headstones attacked at an East Renfrewshire cemetery, in what a bishop has condemned as 'senseless vandalism'.
The incident at St Conval's Cemetery on Glasgow Road, Barrhead, is understood to have happened in the early hours of June 29.
The Diocese of Paisley reported that after entering the cemetery grounds those responsible attacked around 40 headstones, with some being 'demolished'.
A five-metre-high wooden crucifix was also set on fire.
The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan said: 'I am saddened and dismayed by this senseless vandalism and the destructive violence behind it.
'My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have had headstones attacked, as well as with the whole community of relatives and friends who visit St Conval's and care for the graves of their loved ones so tenderly.'
The bishop added: 'My gratitude goes to the St Conval's staff who maintain the grounds and administer the cemetery and who now face the distressing task of repairing and making safe damaged graves while comforting distraught families.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Paisley said: 'Anyone wishing to contact the cemetery staff can do so on 0141 881 1058 or stconvalscemeteryrcdop.org.uk.'
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 8.50am on Sunday, 29 June, 2025, we received a report of vandalism at a cemetery in Glasgow Road, Hurlet, Barrhead.
'Inquiries are at an early stage.
'Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1089 of 29 June.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
33 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Police officers at 'breaking point' after surge in mental health and stress absences
Police officers are at 'breaking point' after stress and mental health absences soared by over 50%. The figures, covering the last three years, show a huge rise in the number of cops off work because of psychological issues. According to stats uncovered by Labour, the number rose from 814 in 2021 to 1,236 last year, an increase of 52%. Labour MSP Pauline McNeill said: 'It's clear police in Scotland are at breaking point after years of SNP mismanagement and neglect. 'We owe it to police officers to ensure they have the support they need while they work to keep our communities safe, but it's clear that is not the case under the SNP. 'The SNP has let police officer numbers collapse over the last five years, piling pressure on remaining officers and threatening to undermine public safety." She added: 'The SNP must wake up to this growing mental health crisis and work with Police Scotland to support officers struggling with stress, trauma or poor mental health. ' Police officers cannot keep bearing the brunt of SNP failure – more must be done to support police and the vital work they do.' David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said 'Police officer numbers have collapsed over the last five years, creating a dangerous shortage of officers on our streets and putting public safety at risk. 'This chronic understaffing is having a devastating impact not only on the service Police Scotland can deliver, but also on the officers themselves—piling unmanageable workloads and stress onto those who remain. 'What doesn't help is senior police leaders continually insisting that the service can cope when it can't—the service may be surviving, but those it impacts are suffering. We urgently need action to reverse this decline, ensure visible policing in our communities, and protect the public from the consequences of this mismanagement.' Alan Speirs, Deputy Chief Constable at Police Scotland, said: "The health and welfare of our officers and staff remains one of Police Scotland's highest priorities with enhanced provisions from both our Employee Assistance and Your Wellbeing Matters programmes. 'This will be further enhanced through the implementation of our new HR structure with increased resource within our Health and Wellbeing team. 'We also have a range of mechanisms in place to support our employees who are absent from work for any reason. 'We continue to work with our occupational health provider to support police officers and staff in their journey back to health and, subsequently, to work.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Police officers and staff do a challenging job and we have welcomed the Chief Constable's commitment to workforce wellbeing. 'Staff and officers can access a range of services to support their physical and mental wellbeing. This includes access to a 24/7 employee assistance programme, and direct access to occupational health services. 'We are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing in 2025-26 – an increase of £90 million on 2024-25 – and Police Scotland took on more recruits in 2024-25 than at any time since 2013, with more intakes planned this year.'
Times
8 hours ago
- Times
Body recovered from loch where teenage paddleboarder went missing
Police searching for a missing 15-year-old paddleboarder in Fife have found a body in the water. A teenage boy had been reported missing after going out on Loch Ore on Saturday afternoon with a friend. Police Scotland said that the body of a male youth was brought from the water at about 1.20pm on Sunday. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family has been informed. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. Calls of concern about a male who had been paddleboarding were first made to the emergency services at about 5.25pm on Saturday evening. A large emergency response, including the coastguard, was in attendance at the park overnight and locals were asked to avoid the area while a search was carried out. Loch Ore is a freshwater loch covering 260 acres in Fife and is used mainly for leisure activities, including by the University of St Andrews Boat Club. Airspace over the beauty spot at Crosshill was closed to allow a police helicopter to assist with the search. Initially, the airspace above the loch and wider parkland was closed until Monday at 9am. A gala day due to take place at the park, known locally as The Meedies, was moved to a new location. Five years ago, at the same spot, a 20-year-old man died after going open-water swimming. Keivan Ulhaq, from Cowdenbeath, was swimming with friends when he went into sudden cardiac arrest after suffering cold-water shock. He was rescued from the water but later died in hospital. Ulhaq's mother, Sheena Ulhaq, was later thanked by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for speaking publicly about the dangers of open water. In the aftermath of his death, SFRS installed new water-safety signs and lifesaving throwline equipment at the scenic spot.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Fall from boat' on Loch Lomond as search underway for Scots ex-hotel boss
Alan Colquhoun, 83, is believed to have been with members of his family when he fell overboard. Divers are searching for the founder of a popular hotel after he fell from a boat on Loch Lomond. Alan Colquhoun, 83, is believed to have been with members of his family when he fell overboard on Thursday afternoon. Police and Coastguard have also been involved in the search for Mr Colquhoun, the dad-of-three who is the former owner of The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel. A source said the area has been swarming with police and search teams since the alarm was raised. They said: 'Divers have been out constantly every day since Thursday. There's police everywhere. 'They've never left the loch since the man went missing. 'It seems like they've been all over the place constantly since Thursday but still haven't been able to find him. 'A helicopter was also flying above the loch at one point. 'We haven't heard much about it but the search is still very much ongoing. 'We've also heard they're meant to be bringing in some kind of submarine in the morning to try and locate the man if he hasn't been found by then.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The four-star Lodge on the Loch Lomond Hotel was built by Mr Colquhoun and his wife Elizabeth on the site of a derelict farm and opened on his 50th birthday in 1992. It is now owned and run by his son Niall and his wife Ann. The hotel was still open for business yesterday despite the ongoing search. A member of staff who answered the phone at the hotel refused to comment when called by the Record. The Colquhoun family is believed to have gone out on the loch on a boat from Freedom Boat Club at nearby Ardlui Marina. A spokesman there said: 'We can't comment as an investigation is still ongoing. 'Nobody has been found yet.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 12.35pm on Thursday, 26 June, we received a report of an 83-year-old man entering the water in Loch Lomond near Isle of Inchlonaig. 'Police and partner agencies attended and extensive searches are ongoing. 'Local officers have been assisted by our Dive and Marine Unit and Air Support Unit. 'Officers are continuing to keep the man's family updated.'
