VANDALISM is the scourge of modern society, an illness that appears to run through the heart of Britain.

And, until a cure is found, the people who will suffer from it most will continue to be those least able to defend themselves from it.

Take, for example, our Page 1 story today in which we report that Joyce Instan, a 77-year-old who has provided round-the-clock care for husband Cecil for the past seven years, has had her sanctuary - her beloved garden - destroyed by mindless thugs.

Or take our story on Page 3, in which we tell how yobs smashed 12 windows at Holy Trinity and St Matthew Church, in Ronkswood, as another example of how vandalism makes life miserable for the great majority of Worcester people.

Action has to be taken to end the misery that the yobs and thugs - who are probably young enough to be under parental control - unleash.

The police, obviously, have a vital role to play by patrolling our community and responding quickly to calls for help.

So, too, will the so-called community wardens, who the Government wants to see helping to tackle anti-social behaviour.

And, as we have argued before, parents should be brought before the courts over the criminal actions of their children.

Other ideas can be thrown into the mix but one thing is clear - cures for the vandalism disease must be found without delay.