WHEN vandals set about damaging property, it’s invariably the people who use the targeted facilities who suffer most.

In today’s Telegraph & Argus, we report on two cases of mindless vandalism where innocent people will have to cope with the consequences of the reckless behaviour of a minority.

In the case of the park, reported today, the damage and graffiti are bound to spoil people’s enjoyment of an important facility at the heart of the community.

In built-up inner-city areas, such green lungs must be valued, cherished and protected to allow residents to relax and escape the day-to-day pressures in more tranquil surroundings.

When it comes to the vandalised van, it’s appalling to think that someone would be heartless enough to deliberately damage a vehicle used by a charity to help desperate homeless people over the Christmas period.

Let’s hope the van can be returned to working order as quickly as possible to allow the charity to continue with its vital work helping needy individuals.

If anyone knows anything about either of the vandalism incidents, they should not hesitate to tell the police.

Attacks on facilities that are designed to be of benefit to the wider community are frankly moronic, mindless and pointless.

Such incidents must feel like a kick in the teeth for those who put their time, effort and money into trying to help others.

Let’s hope we see the perpetrators brought to justice and made an example of.