Recent months have seen an increase in vandalism referencing the Old Firm rivalry, with slogans and symbols associated with Rangers and Celtic appearing on roundabouts, walls, and local infrastructure in the area.
Graffiti has been spotted at sites on Gilmartin Road and at the Linclive Roundabout in the area.
Councillor Robert Innes (Image: Supplied)
Councillor Robert Innes says the problem has been ongoing since December last year.
He said: “Graffiti can be a powerful and positive form of expression when it’s done with care, creativity, and respect for the community, but what we are seeing here in Linwood is none of that.
“These are not works of art, they are divisive tags that are dragging the area down and sending the wrong message about our town.
“The state the Clippens Roundabout is in is appalling. I have requested that this be cleaned up and new signage put in place as a priority.
“Council officers have also been asked to inspect streets with sectarian vandalism and either remove it or coordinate with businesses to get it removed.
“Please, if you see it, report it.”
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Sectarian graffiti near Linclive Roundabout (Image: Supplied)
While the local authority has worked to clean the sites over the last few months, Innes insists graffiti, which has included the phrases “Kill all H***s” and and “Kill all T***s”, keeps appearing in the area.
He continued: “Linwood is a place people are proud to call home.
“It deserves better than being turned into a canvas for outdated Old Firm patter that encourages antisocial behaviour and has nothing to do with football.
“We should be building a community that is inclusive and looking to the future, not one marked by sectarianism and making Linwood look unclean.
“I would much rather see spaces used to showcase local artistic talent, Renfrewshire’s history, or art that brings people together rather than pushing them apart.”
Vandalism on Gilmartin Road (Image: Supplied)
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We condemn the appearance of offensive graffiti in our communities and respond immediately when we receive reports.
“We are committed to removing graffiti containing racial, sectarian or obscene material from public property within 24 hours.
“We would ask members of the public to report any instances to us as soon as possible.”