Police have launched a probe into “mindless” vandalism at the largest sheltered housing complex in south Angus.
Vandals struck at Andy Stewart Court in Cliffburn Road on Sunday morning, which left one 92-year-old resident “in tears” on discovering the communal lounge was covered in glass.
All the photographs on the walls including a print of the famous entertainer for which the complex is named, were torn from the walls, bookcases knocked over and electrical cables cut.
The destruction was described by one local councillor as “heartbreaking”.
“It’s such a mindless, pointless act,” said Arbroath East and Lunan councillor Sheena Welsh.
“It’s especially distressing because of the effect it has on people, to find part of your home has been destroyed by such an act.
“It can destroy your faith in human nature.”
One resident, who asked not to be named, said entry to and from the premises is gained via key fob, and security has been a “big issue” since changes to council services at sheltered units.
More than one-third of the county’s 626 tenancies were reclassified as retirement housing for over-60s last summer, while council-employed tenancy support officers were replaced by employees of social enterprise Care About Angus.
“The police have been up so they have been in touch with Angus Council,” she said. They’re keeping everyone out because we don’t want to go in and touch anything.
“All the pictures are smashed to bits, it’s covered in glass. A big heavy bookcase was upended. The kettle flex was cut, and the flex was cut on the hot water boiler.
“A woman goes and does her washing every Sunday. She’d gone in and burst into tears.”
A deputation of tenants from the 39-cottage complex will attend Arbroath Community Council on Tuesday January 17 to present their concerns to councillors.
The complex was cleaned up by a squad of Angus Council officers on Monday morning, while police carried out door-to-door enquiries.
An Angus Council spokeswoman said: “A team of our staff have been on site tidying up after the damage and to ensure that everything can be put back in order. We are pleased to say that the lounge area is once again usable for residents. While a few repairs will take a bit longer, these will be done as soon as is practical and with as minimum an impact as possible on resident’s use of the lounge.”
A police spokeswoman said: “”Police Scotland is carrying out enquiries after property within a communal lounge within a sheltered housing complex in Arbroath was damaged.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tayside Division on 101.”
The force has confirmed it received calls to the 101 number at 6.04am and 7.53am, before a call from a Community Alarm employee.
It is understood the calls came from a resident and family member of one of the residents.
