Vandals smash 40 headstones and burn crucifix at cemetery

Dozens of headstones have been knocked over and smashed

Vandals have damaged 40 headstones and set fire to a large wooden crucifix at a cemetery in Renfrewshire.

The attack at St Conval's on Glasgow Road, Barrhead, was carried out in the early hours of Sunday.

Many of the gravestones have been completely demolished while the 16ft-high (5m) crucifix has suffered significant damage.

The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan, said he was "saddened and dismayed by this senseless vandalism".

Some headstones have been completely destoyed

St Conval's is the diocesan cemetery for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley (RCDOP).

Bishop Keenan added: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have had headstones attacked, as well as with the whole community of relatives and friends who visit St Conval's and care for the graves of their loved ones so tenderly.

"My gratitude goes to the St Conval's staff who maintain the grounds and administer the cemetery and who now face the distressing task of repairing and making safe damaged graves while comforting distraught families."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Inquiries are at an early stage. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police.

The 16ft-high crucifix has been badly burned

Memorials have been smashed across the cemetery

Families have been left distraught by the damage which has been caused