If the various parish councils are to be believed, the problem is particularly acute around Northwich.

The police are the first to be blamed. Their critics accuse them of not putting enough officers on the beat and not punishing the offenders.

Perhaps where the police are most at fault is in the way they communicate with the taxpayers who fund them.

They are defensive when criticised and fail to explain some of their operational decisions.

Arguably more at fault are the parents of the youngsters carrying out this kind of vandalism.

Parents blame the lack of community facilities for their children, but how many community centres and schools are vandalised?

More importantly, how many parents really know what their kids are doing when they go out - and with who.

Until there is an open and honest dialogue between the police, parents and community leaders, the downward spiral of spiteful vandalism will continue.

NAME

and address supplied.

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