Some teenagers dragged a sofa past our bungalow and up on to Telscombe Tye. On the way they managed to smash two wooden garden fences, a couple of street signs and a wooden fence post.

Once on the Tye they proceeded to burn the sofa. I must give all credit to the police who arrived only minutes after our call. But what could they do? We could hear the torrents of foul-mouthed abuse being hurled at them - and they have to take it all.

Two officers came to our home at 3am to take a statement. Apparently, two of the young thugs had admitted causing the damage and all of them were being held overnight.

I asked what their punishment would be and was told that if they had no previous convictions they would get a reprimand - how scary is that?

When, oh when, is somebody going to be strong enough to stand up and show these young tearaways that they simply cannot get away with wanton vandalism? Any politician who promises to act on this issue will immediately get my vote.

Thousands of young men were killed 60 years ago fighting for freedom in Europe. Can we honestly say that the world is now a better place? Please let some action be taken soon so that their deaths were not in vain.

-CH, Telscombe Cliffs