I WAS saddened to read the article about vandalism in Tottington's Town Meadow park.

Would these people act in the same way if it was them, rather than council staff who had to repair the damage?

Rather than simply letting them get away with it, or giving those responsible an ASBO, would it not be more beneficial both to them and to our community as a whole to let them see the direct consequences of their actions?

In my view the best form of punishment would be to make them spend their time and effort repairing the damage they have caused. Perhaps if they were proud of their work, or even remembered the effort put into it, then they would be more reluctant to vandalise. I also think that the problem as a whole could be alleviated if we taught young people the value of our public property.

I am not talking about the financial cost, because that would not be a deterrent. Rather, if obligatory community service was introduced, then our youth would realise that the damage they caused on Friday night would have to be repaired by them and their friends the week after. As a young person myself, I know that this would be the best deterrent of all.

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