Fed-up Neilston residents are demanding action to tackle a spate of vandalism in their village.

Gangs of youths have been on the rampage, causing damage to garden fences and smashing the windows of parked cars.

Community groups and local politicians are now looking for steps to be taken to ensure the problem doesn’t get any worse as the Easter school holidays continue.

The vandalism has been a particular problem in the area between Main Street and High Street.

A lane behind the Killoch Bar has been identified as a favourite haunt for the mindless yobs.

As well as damage to vehicles which are parked in the area, unsightly graffiti – much of which is of an explicit nature – has continued to appear on garden fences, despite repeated attempts to paint over it.

There have also been calls for cars illegally parked in the area, which has recently been put under a Traffic Regulation Order, to be removed.

Local reports suggest that much of the damage could be a result of young people travelling to Neilston from outwith the village.

Police in East Renfrewshire, together with council officials, have been alerted to the ongoing problems.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, who represents Newton Mearns North and Neilston, said: “This has been something that has gone on for a long time in the village and something should be done about it.

“I have now alerted officers at the council and will be setting up a site visit to try to resolve this as quickly as possible.

“Neilston is a very close-knit community and people know each other, so if this was just local youngsters, it would be much easier to deal with.”

There have been difficulties tracing those responsible for the damage caused due to a lack of camera surveillance in the area, as well as the ease of escape in several directions.

Suggestions made by members of the community to improve the situation include closing the lane and providing a more open route between the two roads, as well as an increase in evening activities for young people.

A spokesperson for Neilston Community Council said: “The role of parents shouldn’t be overlooked. Do they care where their kids are or what they’re doing?

“It used to be that kids could go to two or three youth clubs a week in the local schools but this was stopped for financial reasons.

“Unless politicians, both local and national, realise that there have to be facilities available for 13 to 17-year-olds, and people to mentor them, the problem will not go away.”