THE unthinking acts of vandalism carried out all around us every day adversely affect many corners of our lives.

Public buildings are daubed with graffiti, bus and railway station shelters have their toughened glass windows shattered and all kinds of fixtures and fittings are kicked to pieces by yobs.

But those who practise wanton destruction have sunk to new depths even by their own standards in trashing an emergency ambulance in Darwen.

The locked ambulance, which contained lifesaving resuscitation equipment and a heart-start defibrillator, was parked outside Darwen ambulance association when the attack happened shortly after 7pm on Friday.

Cupboards and draws were ripped open, delicate equipment tampered with and contents strewn about.

The result of the attack was that the town of Darwen was left without on-the-spot ambulance cover for nearly two hours while a replacement vehicle was arranged.

Ambulance officers believe a frenzied hunt for drugs was probably the wreckers' aim although nothing on the vehicle would have been of any use to recreational users.

Presumably the perpetrators of this damage have relatives of their own in Darwen - or at least someone for whom they have some affection. Even in the depths of drug induced semi-consciousness it seems incredible that they did not realise the potential impact of their actions.

If their nearest and dearest had suffered a heart attack or life threatening accident at around 7pm in Darwen, the delay in receiving treatment caused by this vandalism could easily have proved fatal.

That the vandals obviously didn't realise or care points to them being people people without any thought, feelings or common humanity. When they are caught, society should not be too concerned about showing such feelings towards these offenders. They will not recognise them.