In just about every area of the town and surrounding villages there's a number of young people who are running wild.

The vandalism -- ranging from the petty to the downright life-threateningly dangerous -- is leading to justifiable discontentment among residents who have to live in the midst of the wreckers.

Not only is the quality of life of people being hit but the actions of the yobs is wasting a huge amount of public resource, both in terms of manpower and cash and tying up public servants and councillors.

In fairness it has to be accepted that this is a national issue and Keighley and district is no different to anywhere else in the UK.

The police and local councillors are taking action where they can, such as in Cullingworth, where youngsters are deriving pleasure out of ripping up turf and plants from around a war memorial and pelting cars with it. There's the great work being done in Silsden, as we recently highlighted.

But that is not tackling the root cause of the problem. If there was an easy answer the challenge would have been met long ago.

Preventative measures are being taken, through schools and youth organisations which are doing their best to instill respect and good citizenship in young people, in the hope of preventing them from going astray. That's fine and has to be applauded. There is, however, one main question on the lips of readers who in increasing numbers are contacting this newspaper on the issue -- what about the parents? The universal opinion expressed is that parents must be held to account for the actions of their children and must share the blame, both morally and legally.

Those who believe the concerns are over the top should consider this sinister development in Cullingworth. The Aire-Wharfe Community Housing Trust wants to put metal fencing around a number of flats. One reason is to provide a buffer zone between people's homes and an area where young people meet and which is sometimes subject to anti-social behaviour. The trust says it is trying to create a more secure and attractive environment.

The very thought of having to fence people in to keep them safe from young people should send a shiver down the spine of everyone.

We all know who should be behind bars.