The old expression that "an Englishman's home is his castle" seems to be far from true nowadays. Too often we learn of people who live in fear in their houses and flats: in fear of burglars; in fear of intimidation from neighbours; in fear, sometimes, of attack by people whose identity is unknown to them.

Thomas Mullaney and his family fall into this last group. Mr Mullaney, his wife and their 21-year-old son - who has learning difficulties - have had their Buttershaw home pelted with bottles, stones, mud and eggs. Every window has been smashed, and Mr Mullaney has had to fit wire caging after a stone crashed into his son's bedroom in the middle of the night. The family believe they are being victimised, but they have no idea why.

It is intolerable that anyone should have to endure this sort of treatment from cruel bullies. It does not matter whether a home is a semi on a council estate or a detached house on a private luxury development. It should be a place where people can go, close the door to shut out the world, and feel safe.

No-one should have to lie in bed at night dreading another stone smashing a window or crashing into the brickwork, or even wake up to the sight of walls smeared with mud and broken eggs.

Someone must know who the culprits are - someone who can imagine what the Mullaneys (and other people undergoing similar ordeals elsewhere) are going through and who is prepared to ring the helpline with information that could help the police put a stop to their shameful antics.