Vandalism is a blight on many communities, but not all vandalism is the same.

There are certain instances which go beyond mindless graffiti or damage and into a much darker realm. That is not to excuse the former, for there can be no let-up in our fight against such crimes, but it is the latter that is causing concern today.

For figures reveal that in the last six months there have been 14 cases of objects being hurled at trains in our area. Each missile has the potential to shatter the driver's windscreen or the window beside a passenger. And the horrific incident when planks were laid on a line to await the arrival of an oncoming train beggars belief.

Each of these outrages, and there may well have been others which were not reported, could have resulted in the loss of a life or even lives; we do not have to think too far back to realise the potential for tragedy when something goes wrong on our railways.

Network Rail has been running a crackdown during this week's school holiday and police will be visiting schools next week in a bid to trace those who attacked an express train with objects hurled from a bridge. It is hoped that this will be successful.

These young idiots need to be caught and, when they are, an example made of them in the courts before their lethal pastimes produce a genuine tragedy.