POLICE have been out in force in Old Kilpatrick responding to dozens of youths turning up in the village.

Officers were even outside St Patrick’s Church during Easter services at the weekend to reassure the community with more than 30 young people moved on over Friday evening.

Father William McGinley said he did not believe any of the trouble was targeted at him or the church but it was down to its location with the pathway up to the glen.

He told the Post: “The police have this under control. Big crowds were coming up, climbing over the gates and through the garden and police have targeted this.

“They have an ongoing initiative for moving them on or preventing them from coming into the glen.

“I don’t think we are being targeted – we just happen to be at the point of entry and exit for them. It’s organised groups coming from elsewhere, treating the place as a place of convenience for them and the people in the village are very annoyed and worried for my safety and for the grounds. The community has felt a bit intimidated of late. The police have been very co-operative and understanding.”

Father McGinley added: “ We would rather have them inside the church than outside.”

In August 2015, bins were set alight next to the church on Dumbarton Road, causing major damage to the church. Repairs were completed last year.

Concerns were expressed on social media last week the trouble at the church could be sectarian in nature but Father McGinley said he didn’t believe that was the case and police had no sectarian crime reports. Police confirmed there were no incidents or arrests at the weekend.

The youths, all aged under 17, are understood to be travelling in recent weeks from Clydebank, Drumchapel and Bearsden to Old Kilpatrick.

Police confirmed there were no incidents or arrests at the weekend but that they were out reassuring residents. They reminded anyone with concerns to contact them through their non-emergency 101 number.