Any act of vandalism is odious and objectionable, but when the target is not only a school but a school for children with special needs, it leaves a particularly bad taste in the mouth.

And the problem suffered at Netherlands Avenue School and Community Nursery is not an isolated one. The school has been a repeated victim of vandalism and burglary suffering a dozen attacks since July last year.

That the head teacher is having to divert cash that should be spent on educating the children to funding security measures at the school is nothing short of scandalous.

We often hear the word "mindless" attached to vandalism, but the thugs who have repeatedly smashed up the school, stolen vital equipment and daubed racist graffiti on walls are nothing of the sort.

They are cold, calculating cowards who carry out their vicious little acts of hooliganism when they are sure there is no-one around to tackle them.

Anyone who preys on the most vulnerable members of a community deserves only the contempt of the rest of society.

Children with autism, which this school particularly caters for, need a certain level of calm and consistency in their lives.

Head teacher Gary Bowden wants more action from the police. He should get it.

And when the thugs who consistently attack this school get caught, they should be treated like the serious criminals they are and suffer the full weight of the law.