I can only agree the level of vandalism, dumped cars, and street crime in Eltham is spiralling out of control.

The perpetrators are mostly schoolchildren but further blame must be put at the feet of the relevant authorities. Treating these offences as petty and being soft on those caught has given these offences a tag of being socially acceptable.

After all, if the police make next to no effort to apprehend them, and if caught they only get a caution, it is giving them the green light to carry on.

What is needed is a concentrated effort to catch these people.

After all, it's not rocket science. They do it right in our faces, with contempt.

When caught, these offences should be treated seriously. Parents should be fined to cover the costs and institutions such as Borstals reintroduced so offenders feel the weight of the law.

We are not talking childish pranks here. Breaking glass, destroying phones, urinating, spraying and setting fires is wanton and mindless.

These so-called petty crimes have a far more damaging affect on the populace than the more isolated serious crime.

Let's please have some visible and meaningful action and soon.

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