A SENIOR councillor has said that vandalism in Dunfermline's Pittencrieff Park is being "monitored" by Fife Council. 

The reassurance from James Calder comes after a bench in the Glen was set on fire on Sunday, resulting in Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS) being called to the scene. 

It's one in a long line of incidents in the park over the years, with vandalism and anti-social behaviour tending to spike in the summer months. 

The fire service was alerted just before 9pm on Sunday, sending one appliance to the scene and firefighters quickly putting out the flames.  

Cllr Calder, the convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, told the Press that acts of vandalism were "unacceptable" and "outrageous" and that the community need to take care of "the jewel in the crown of Dunfermline".

He said: "It's one of these long-running issues of having vandalism in the park and there's been many incidents over the years.

"It’s completely unacceptable and outrageous behaviour and I think it's one of those things that both the council and the police need to be looking into to make sure that all steps that are possible can be taken.

"At the same time, I would absolutely urge any members of the public who do see any suspicious activity to report it the police in the first instance."

In March 2023 there were plans to spend £60,000 on CCTV to help catch the culprits on camera, but the council admitted it would take some time before it could be implemented.

And last summer the police caught a number of youths who were setting fires in the park. 

Cllr Calder said: "It’s about being responsible as well because fire is dangerous and fundamentally we need to make sure we’re taking care of the Glen.

"In many ways, it's the jewel in the crown of Dunfermline and the majority of the population want to enjoy it, to be able to sit on the benches but also not have to worry about fires taking place."

While there is an uptick in vandalism during the summer holidays, Cllr Calder believes it's down to a multitude of factors. 

"I think particularly during the summertime - and I don't just necessarily put all the blame on all school pupils because this is very much a small minority of people that might do this and at times there has been vandalism that hasn't been school pupils but people who are older -but certainly when you get to summertime, there are people on holiday but there are also longer days so people are out later into the night as well. 

"There’s probably a number of factors," he continued. 

"It’s really just a case of trying to encourage the public to let the police know if this does happen and obviously as a council, we have concerns but it's something that is being monitored."

While there are still incidents of vandalism, Harry Dunn, the chair of the Friends of Pittencrieff Park, has said that there are fewer than in previous years. 

He previously backed the Press' Protect our Glen campaign, which was launched in 2021, and this week he said: "I am afraid that unfortunately, at this time of the year, the summer holidays, it always seems to lead to occasions of some mindless vandalism.

"This is regrettable, but in my opinion, it is not so bad as in the past and l think it is due to more of the public visiting and using the park much more.

"The friends and, of course, the full-time gardeners are committed and will do all that we can to rectify any such occasions of damage and graffiti. 

"And the support the park receives from the coverage the Dunfermline Press provides all aid to making Pittencrieff Park a great place to visit and enjoy."