RECKLESS vandals who have repeatedly targeted top tourist attractions at Glasgow's Clydeside have racked up damage of around £250,000 within three months.

The acts of vandalism have had an impact on popular tourist attractions the Riverside Museum, the Tall Ship and the Clydeside Distillery.

The Evening Times understands that youths have allegedly been carrying out the attacks repeatedly over a three month period.

The Tall Ship said that they have had to fork out in excess of £3,000 for repairs.

The venue, which is a charity run by the Clyde Maritime Trust, has been targeted at least four times with the glass doors of a ticket pavilion smashed up and items of confectionary stolen.

It is understood that security in the area has been stepped up by the Riverside Museum who intervened on one occasion to prevent a further incident at The Tall Ship.

Frank Brown, Chief Executive of the Clyde Maritime Trust, said: "The vandalism has caused a lot of inconvenience. A lot of people think we are connected to the Riverside Museum and money is no object but that is not the case. We are a charity."

He added: "I am disappointed as a charity we have been targeted like this and the police seem to be limited in what they can do to prevent it happening."

A local resident, who did not want to be named, also hit out at the vandals after witnessing the damage first hand during recent visits to the attractions.

He said: "As a visitor and as a resident, it is quite appalling that our renowned museums which we are proud to be able to offer and visit without charge, waste vital funding on repair bills due to mindless acts of vandalism.

"I would urge those with authority to make effective measures in place to punish those responsible and prevent this from continuing."

Glasgow Life, who run the Riverside Museum, did not reveal the extent of the damage they have experienced because of the vandalism.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life, however, said: “There have been some instances of vandalism and we’ve been working with Police Scotland and Community Safety Glasgow to ensure the building remains secure.”

A spokesman from The Clydeside Distillery added: “Sadly the distillery has been victim to a number of instances of vandalism over the last few months. We are continuing to work with Police Scotland about this.”

Police Scotland said they are monitoring the situation and have made arrests over the acts of vandalism.

Local Inspector Eddie Seery said: "Over the last three months there have been a significant number of vandalisms to several buildings and places of interest on the Clydeside at the West End.

"Police have arrested and charged four juveniles in connection with these incidents and we continue to monitor the situation."

He added: "The cost of the damage caused during these vandalisms is approximately £250,000. This means that money which could be used to attract more visitors to these venues is instead being used to repair damage caused maliciously. This will not be tolerated and anyone who is intent in causing vandalism in the area will be caught and dealt with."

Glasgow Times: