IT might not be the worst crime in the world but it's certainly the most annoying.

That's because it happens to us all, more or less, and there's often not a thing we can do about it.

Whether it's a broken fence or a wing mirror kicked off a car, few things can raise temperatures like petty vandalism can.

As well as the cost and the time spent righting the damage, such minor crime makes us think crime is much worse than it actually is; it also leads to extra criticism of the police, who simply do not have the resources to deal with what they term "low level" crime and can give the impression they are doing nothing.

But to be fair, the police and the government are looking at the bigger picture. They are doing what they can to stop this sort of anti-social behaviour. They know just how widespread and infuriating the problem is.

And they know a lot of it is caused by drunken youths who can't handle the booze they have managed to get hold of. Off-licences, by and large, are helping the police and the community by getting tough on under-age youngsters who try and buy drink for their pals.

But it is worrying to discover the same parents who let their children run amok are the same ones plying them with drink.

Now police are going for the source and promising to crack down not just on drunken teens but their parents.

But if the problem is really to be addresses, it is these parents who need to wake up to the problem and play their part too.