Vandalism is the scourge of every town and village in Britain.

Here in Oxford, we have more than our fair share of the mindless morons.

Arson, graffitti and assorted destruction appear to give them a twisted thrill, but there is no consideration given to the heartbreak and misery they leave behind.

Two examples of this came last week, with an arson attack on Bayards Hill Primary School in Barton, where the county's youth choirs rehearse and the theft of figures used to promote a forthcoming youth production at the Pegasus Theatre.

Thankfully, both shows are going on, due to the determination of the organisers.

But it's depressing to think that this is not the first and certainly not the last time we will report on such acts.

It may be classed as 'low level crime' in the statistics, but this is a high level problem that we as a society must get to grips with.