16-06-2025
Club roof incident near Glasgow sparks police investigation
The update from police comes as the president of Barrhead United Services Club voiced his dismay after an individual recently climbed up onto their building - leaving the organisation facing a costly repair.
A drainpipe was broken in the incident and a large hole was made in their asbestos roof which has allowed water to get in.
The United Services Club on Paisley Road (Image: Colin Mearns) David Higgins said: 'I don't know if it was a break in or vandalism.
'They climbed up and went through our asbestos roof.
'We have a metal frame up underneath the roof, so no one can gain access and, if they have been trying to break in, they have fallen down and hit the metal.
'It's not so easy to repair. If it was, it wouldn't be as big a deal.
'The problem is it's an asbestos roof and nobody wants to touch it.
'I know we have all been young and done silly things, but people need to think of the consequences.'
The club does not have money for a proper repair (Image: Colin Mearns) Without the funds to pay for the proper repair of an asbestos roof and with the urgent need to try and stop more water coming in, David has tried to patch up the hole himself.
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'It's not causing any problems upstairs where the members' bar is, but the point is it's water (coming in) and people hire our hall to have functions and it's in the function hall sort of thing," he added.
"That's where most of our money to keep the place going comes from.
"I don't know what we are going to do.
'We are just a wee club and the only social club left in Barrhead.
'Social clubs are a dying breed and not many people come to social clubs any more and we have not got the money to pay to get it fixed.
'I managed to put a thing over it but a gust of wind is going to take it off.'
MSP Paul O'Kane (Image: Colin Mearns) West Scotland MSP Paul O'Kane said that members of the Paisley Road club are 'rightly angered and frustrated' by the damage that has been done to their roof.
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On behalf of the organisation's committee members, he has written to the area commander to seek some clarity about how Police Scotland intends to deal with this issue.
'If somebody has caused damage to a property then they should be accountable for it,' said the politician.
'Due to years of being underfunded by the Scottish Government, Police Scotland don't have the resources and staff that they need to adequately deal with anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the local community.
'We must remember for the sake of local officers who are doing the best they can in these challenging circumstances.
'I hope to pass on an encouraging response from Police Scotland to the United Services Club in the near future that will detail how the individual will be held to account for their actions.'
MSP Paul O'Kane (Image: Colin Mearns) A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that on Friday, May 30 they were made aware of damage to a property on Paisley Road in Barrhead.
'Enquiries are currently ongoing; however, officers are following a positive line of enquiry,' they added.
'Police Scotland through the local policing and community teams are committed to working with partners and the local community to mitigate the impact of anti-social behaviour on properties, businesses, and residents.'
